Data center battle heats up in Kansas
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The data center debate is becoming a flashpoint in Kansas politics, with a growing opposition calling for a halt to new projects.
Why it matters: Kansas has rolled out tax incentives to attract massive data centers, but concerns over their water, energy and land use are turning the projects into an issue in the governor's race.
Driving the news: Democratic candidate Cindy Holscher and Republican candidate Ty Masterson clashed over data centers during their State Fair debate over the weekend, KCUR reported.
- Both voted for Kansas' 2025 data center-incentive law, but Holscher now says she regrets the vote after hearing from the public and supports a moratorium until the state puts more protections in writing.
- Masterson accused her of flip-flopping, adding that the state already has guardrails and that siting decisions should generally be left to local governments.
Context: A nationwide backlash against AI is putting serious pressure on tech leaders and politicians as tech rapidly advances and midterm elections loom.
- Some of tech's most powerful CEOs on Saturday called for a slowdown in the development of advanced AI, but President Trump on Monday said China would benefit if the U.S. pumped the brakes.
What they're saying: "President Trump is right, America wins the AI race or we hand it to China. But folks build here on our terms or they don't build here." Masterson said in a statement pledging to protect Kansas finances, energy rates and natural resources.
- Holscher tells Axios she's not saying no to data centers forever, but a pause "gives us the time to write these protections into law," including generating local jobs "and a guaranteed seat at the table for local communities."
Between the lines: Data center deals have already proven politically volatile in Independence, where voters this month recalled Councilmember John Perkins 68%-32% after he voted in favor of a deal with AI company Nebius.
- Councilmember Bridget McCandless, who also supported the deal and who led the mayoral primary by nearly 17 points, lost to labor advocate and businessman Kevin King after he questioned the process and advocated for a public vote.
The Kansas WEALTH Coalition, a group of advocacy organizations including Kansas Interfaith Action and the Kansas Rural Center, released a statement this month calling on elected officials to implement a moratorium on data center projects and asking residents to sign a petition.
- "It's vitally important to think about the real human costs of AI development," coalition facilitator Lindsay Hamilton tells Axios.
What we're watching: The Nov. 3 election could indicate Kansans' attitude toward future data center projects.
- The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 13.