Masterson, Holscher diverge on data centers as Kansas governor's race heats up
Data center development has become a central issue in the Kansas governor's race, with candidates Ty Masterson and Cindy Holscher holding opposing views. Holscher now advocates for a statewide moratorium and stricter regulations, while Masterson supports local control. Local opposition to data centers is a significant factor for voters.
Data center development has emerged as a pivotal issue in the Kansas governor's race between Republican Ty Masterson and Democrat Cindy Holscher, who have taken divergent positions on the matter. Both candidates initially supported Senate Bill 98, which offered tax incentives for data center developers. Masterson maintains his stance, emphasizing that development decisions should rest with local communities.
Holscher, however, has revised her position, now advocating for a statewide moratorium and the implementation of more rigorous safeguards for data center development. She stated that her change of heart stemmed from listening to constituents and observing the actual impacts of data center growth across the state, asserting the need for government intervention to set standards.
Rebecca Davis, a resident of Tonganoxie, Kansas, who actively opposes a local data center project, underscored the issue's potential to sway the November election. Davis believes that public opposition to large-scale data centers is widespread and could significantly influence the outcome at the polls, urging candidates to take these concerns seriously.