Ohio has become a key battleground in the political struggle surrounding the expansion of data centers fueling America’s AI growth. This November, voters across the state will address the industry’s rapid development.
Twenty data center-related ballot measures will be decided in 17 Ohio jurisdictions, making up over half of the 34 measures nationwide. This positions Ohio at the forefront of the debate over the facilities’ impact on power, water, and local communities.
The issue has also become intertwined with Ohio’s Senate race. President Donald Trump supports the expansion, viewing it as vital for the U.S. in the global AI power race. Senator Jon Husted, Republican from Ohio, advocates for the Ratepayer Protection Act, which aims to shift the financial burden of data centers’ power and infrastructure from taxpayers to the centers themselves. The act highlights the significance of this issue in Ohio’s upcoming midterm elections.
Former Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democratic challenger, has criticized Husted’s stance on data center development. Trump has defended Husted, emphasizing the financial opportunities for Ohio.
Across the country, voters in seven states, including California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin, will make decisions on 34 related ballot measures. The infrastructure supporting America’s AI ambitions is gaining political importance.
A Fox News poll revealed voters grappling with AI’s benefits versus the economic and environmental costs of data centers.
— 71% oppose building AI data centers nearby, with 46% strongly opposing.
— 52% favor remote locations for these centers, with 44% opposed.
— 60% of voters hold a negative view of AI, versus 37% positive. This sentiment gap has increased since a July poll.
There is a notable partisan divide concerning AI and data centers. Republicans tend to have favorable views of AI, while Democrats generally hold unfavorable opinions. This divide is also evident with data centers, aligning similar political preferences among voters.
AI policy is becoming a significant issue in Washington and campaign trails. Trump opposes extensive federal regulation and emphasizes the need for U.S. leadership in technology.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas, previously welcoming tech investments, has recently paused new data center permits, pending an audit of their power grid and water supply impacts. Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa supports temporary moratoriums.
In Texas’s Senate race, this debate surfaces. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic State Representative James Talarico contend over tax incentives for the industry.
Amanda Macias reports on the intersection of business, politics, and economics, focusing on policy impacts on markets and American workers.