Data centers emerge as new flashpoint between Kotek, Drazan in Oregon governor’s race - Oregon Public Broadcasting
The Oregon gubernatorial race between incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican challenger State Sen. Christine Drazan is increasingly focused on data center development due to growing public backlash. Both candidates are taking different stances on issues like tax incentives, energy and water consumption, and the potential for moratoriums on new facilities. This issue is now a significant campaign point, with legislative proposals and past votes being scrutinized.
Oregon's gubernatorial race has become a flashpoint over data center development, with incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican challenger State Sen. Christine Drazan clashing on policy. A July poll by DHM Research revealed 71% of Oregonians view data centers negatively, fueled by concerns over extensive tax breaks, high energy and water consumption, and their impact on local communities. This public sentiment has propelled data center policy to the forefront of the state's political discourse.
Governor Kotek has expressed strong support for local communities implementing moratoriums on data centers, labeling Oregon a "cheap date" for the industry. She has pledged to introduce legislation in 2027 to address data centers' energy usage, water consumption, and labor standards. Kotek also supported a one-year moratorium on data centers leveraging specific enterprise zone programs until summer 2027, reversing an earlier stance on expanding economic packages that would have benefited the industry. Additionally, she convened a Data Center Advisory Committee to study the costs and benefits of these facilities.
Senator Drazan, while opposing an "arbitrary moratorium," supports local communities' autonomy to decline hosting data centers. She voted against the 2025 POWER Act, which mandated that Oregon's largest electric utilities create a separate rate class for data centers to cover infrastructure and energy generation costs. Drazan has criticized Kotek's past support for tax giveaways, stating that Oregon "cannot continue to be the Wild West for data center development," yet affirmed her general support for existing enterprise zones despite their use by data centers. The broader political implications are evident, with national Republican committees warning candidates about the electoral risks of supporting data center expansion.