Republican officials and tech industry figures are responding to rising public and political opposition to data centers, which some warn could sway a critical U.S. Senate race in Ohio and influence broader policy debates nationwide.
Senate Republicans flag data centers as election liability in Ohio
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) issued a private memo this week warning that backlash over data centers could jeopardize Republican Senator Jon Husted’s reelection bid in Ohio, according to reports from Axios and ABC News. The memo described the race as a "dead heat" and called data centers "the anchor hanging around Husted’s neck," suggesting that opposition to the facilities could cost the GOP a Senate seat. The NRSC warned that if Husted loses, politicians across the country may avoid supporting future data center projects.
Husted blames rising electricity costs on Democratic energy policies
During a Friday appearance at a steel mill in Middletown, Ohio, alongside Vice President JD Vance, Senator Jon Husted defended the Trump administration’s energy agenda and attributed higher electricity costs to Democratic policies. Husted claimed that Congress and the Obama and Biden administrations closed 23 power plants in Ohio, representing half the state’s daily electricity capacity, due to "radical climate policies." He argued that these closures, rather than data center construction, were driving up utility costs.
GOP leaders across states take action amid growing opposition
Republican officials in multiple states have escalated their rhetoric against data centers in recent weeks. In Michigan, Senate candidate Mike Rogers called for a one-year moratorium on new data center projects, while Representative Tom Barrett introduced legislation to preserve local control over development. Texas Governor Greg Abbott publicized an earlier directive pausing projects seeking access to the state power grid. These moves follow polling indicating a sharp rise in public opposition to data centers, particularly in states hosting large-scale AI infrastructure projects.
Tech leaders warn of broader economic risks
Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya criticized AI industry leaders, including Sam Altman and Dario Amodei, for failing to address public concerns about data centers. In a post on X, Palihapitiya called the opposition a "powder keg" that could "unwind 200-300 basis points of annual GDP" if it spreads. He argued that AI leaders have not effectively communicated the benefits of data centers to local communities, instead allowing them to become "a symbolic representation of the asymmetric upside for a very narrow tech elite."
Ohio emerges as ground zero for data center debate
Ohio has become a major hub for data center development, with a proposed 10-gigawatt campus in Pike County estimated to cost over $500 billion. Former Senator Sherrod Brown, Husted’s Democratic opponent, has made opposition to data centers a central campaign issue, framing them as a threat to affordability and local control. The NRSC memo reportedly highlighted Brown’s strategy as resonating with voters, contributing to the tight race.
Industry response and long-term implications
While some Republicans have adopted a harder line, Palihapitiya urged AI leaders to adopt a more accessible public messaging strategy, warning that internal conflicts and reliance on technical jargon have deepened public distrust. The debate over data centers intersects with broader discussions about energy policy, economic development, and the social license for AI infrastructure, with potential implications for future elections and regulatory decisions.