Ad targets Husted on data center support
A new political ad by Sherrod Brown targets Jon Husted over his support for data centers, making data center development a campaign issue in Ohio. Data centers are a growing presence in the state, drawing opposition due to their high electricity and water consumption and use of farmland, despite creating construction jobs.
The U.S. Senate race in Ohio is seeing data centers emerge as a key campaign issue, as Democrat Sherrod Brown has released an ad targeting Jon Husted for his support of these facilities. This move is noted as somewhat surprising given Brown's reputation as an advocate for organized labor, and data centers are known to generate construction jobs.
Ohio has become a significant hub for data centers, ranking among the top five states with over 200 such facilities. While they contribute to job creation, particularly in union construction, data centers also face increasing opposition due to their substantial consumption of electricity and water, as well as their impact on farmland.
The discussion also touches upon Ohio's recent ranking as the No. 1 state for business by CNBC, a designation swiftly promoted by JobsOhio and embraced by state politicians, including Gov. Mike DeWine. Democrats are leveraging CNBC's acknowledgment that Ohio is well-positioned for AI data center deals against Republican opponents, highlighting the rising public opposition despite the economic appeal.