Data centers take center stage in Ohio elections
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From statewide races to local candidates and issues, Election Day in Ohio will be a referendum on data centers — one of the most divisive issues in American politics.
Why it matters: Ohio has been a Republican stronghold for a decade, but as the state emerges as a data center hot spot, the unpopular projects are influencing both parties in competitive races.
The big picture: Data centers have become one of the least popular topics in America, and opposition to them crosses partisan lines.
- Democrats have leaned in, while Republicans' internal polling led them to warn AI companies that their unpopularity was hurting candidates — specifically U.S. Sen. Jon Husted.
- Even President Trump, whose administration is easing environmental restrictions on data centers and who said communities would be making a "mistake" by not welcoming them, is changing his tune.
Zoom in: Amid that national backdrop, the data center debate has taken center stage in Ohio politics.
- A September Bowling Green State University and YouGov poll found data centers have the worst net popularity (-45%) of any person or entity in Ohio politics, with lower approval than Flock (-40) cameras or billionaires (-36).
- In the poll, 75% of respondents oppose data centers in their communities and 63% oppose them in Ohio whatsoever.
Statewide races largely feature Democrats condemning data centers and Republicans walking back support.
- Husted, who previously defended data center tax breaks, now opposes them amid attacks from Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown.
- Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy has repeatedly tightened his preferred data center restrictions, and now says he's not in favor of tax breaks.
Across Central Ohio, local communities and leaders have been divided by proposed data centers.
- Grove City will vote on a charter amendment that would drastically change development projects and stems from a data center dispute.
- Granville, Pataskala and Sunbury will vote on large-scale project bans, while Ashville has a referendum on a specific project.
- Per Ballotpedia, American voters will decide on 49 local measures related to data centers this year — 21 are in Ohio, by far the most of any state.
The intrigue: Despite the unpopularity, just 2.6% of respondents in a Suffolk University and USA Today poll in late September said data centers were their most important issue.
What we're watching: Central Ohio's "Silicon Heartland" ambitions are likely tied to the data centers tech companies require.
- A wave of post-election local restrictions and potential statewide rule changes could stem that tide.