Independent bets on data center issue in Senate race
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Jodi Borello is running as an independent in a state Senate race south of Pittsburgh. Photo: Courtesy of the Borello campaign
A local candidate is hoping her anti-data center stance can flip a conservative state Senate district south of Pittsburgh.
Why it matters: Republicans hold a four-seat majority in the state Senate and are facing strong challengers who could take away control of the chamber they’ve had for over 33 years.
The intrigue: Jodi Borello could play a role in that balance, hoping to win state Senate District 46 as an independent candidate against incumbent state Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Monongahela).
- The district covers Washington and Greene counties, and a small section of southern Beaver County.
- The Democratic candidate in the district dropped off the ballot this summer, which set up a 1-on-1 race.
Context: Borello lives in South Franklin Township in Washington County. She worked as a community organizer for the Center for Coalfield Justice environmental advocacy group, but recently resigned. She touts her work there securing bigger setbacks for fracking wells near residential properties.
- She has switched between a registered Republican and independent over the years, according to the Observer-Reporter.
What she’s saying: Borello wants a state moratorium on data centers, and she wants regulations passed in the General Assembly before any development resumes.
- “The No. 1 thing is the data centers. People do not want them; they have made that crystal clear,” Borello told Axios.
Zoom in: Her other priorities include raising the minimum wage, ending tax breaks to large corporations, and increasing worker protections.
Friction point: Borello criticized Bartolotta for supporting data center development — including Senate Bill 991, which seeks to accelerate data center permitting, according to the bill’s memo to lawmakers.
The other side: Bartolotta told Axios that Borello is fearmongering and misrepresenting her position. She said the bill seeks to identify remote brownfield sites for possible data center development to keep them away from residential areas.
- Bartolotta cites her support for Senate Bill 1345 — a bill to give municipalities the power to impose local data center moratoriums — and her vote to remove special tax breaks for data centers.
- She criticized Borello for her work at the Center for Coalfield Justice, calling her a “far-left community organizer and environmental extremist who has spent years working … to destroy blue-collar jobs in our oil, gas, and coal industries.”
Between the lines: Special election results in Pennsylvania during Trump 2.0 might be making Republicans nervous.
- Last week, Democrat Brandon Dukes flipped a Cranberry state House district blue, securing a narrow victory in an 18-point Trump district.
Reality check: Trump won state Senate District 46 by 28 points in 2024.
Yes, but: Bartolotta also survived a bruising Republican primary where millions in outside money were spent attacking her public image.
State of play: Democrats hope to flip at least two state Senate seats, which would give them a majority in the chamber if Gov. Josh Shapiro wins re-election.
- It’s unclear how Borello would fit into that balance of power.
- She said she wouldn't caucus with any party.
What’s next: Election Day is Nov. 3.