Ramaswamy takes anti-Trump stance on AI as Ohio data center boom fuels gubernatorial race

Ohio's rapid data center expansion has become a significant political battleground, with Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy taking a sharply critical stance against the industry. Ramaswamy asserted that the data center industry has performed a "horrific job of earning public trust" and pledged to address its impacts if elected governor.

During a campaign event, likely held in Geauga County, Ramaswamy committed to signing an executive order on his first day in office. This order would impose an immediate halt on any further data center project announcements across Ohio until specific legislative measures are enacted. He contrasted his firm commitments with what he characterized as his opponent's vague proposals.

Ramaswamy outlined four core commitments to Ohioans regarding data centers. Firstly, he promised lower electric bills for all residents, including free electricity for those living in the immediate vicinity of a data center. Secondly, he proposed to eliminate property tax abatements for data center developers, redirecting these funds as rebate checks directly to residential property owners in affected communities. Thirdly, addressing environmental concerns, he stated that all water used by data centers must be returned at least as clean or cleaner than when it was taken, along with maintaining stringent air quality standards. Lastly, he mandated that new data centers be constructed on abandoned industrial sites instead of fertile farmland, also recommending "vegetative insulation" to mitigate sound and visual impacts. Ramaswamy concluded by emphasizing that Ohio should not be treated as a "dumping ground" and that his governorship would prioritize fighting for the state's residents, natural resources, and environment.