Ohio Data Center Industry Sparks Controversy in Senate Race

Ohio's data center industry has become a contentious issue in the state's Senate race, particularly between Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown and incumbent Senator Jon Husted. A recent campaign ad by Brown targets Google's data center in Lancaster, Ohio, which opened in 2023 and is owned by the tech giant. The facility has been touted as essential for powering the American artificial intelligence boom.

Brown's ad features an Ohioan blaming Husted for spearheading 'the push to bring data centers to Ohio,' linking their expansion to 'higher electric bills.' However, campaign finance records reveal that Google's corporate PAC contributed $20,000 to Brown over his political career. Brown also received thousands of dollars from individuals who lobby for Google, including two whose firms have worked on permitting, grid reliability, and energy affordability issues.

GOP strategist Mehek Cooke accused Brown of 'Jekyll-and-Hyde politics,' stating that 'Apparently, Google is terrible enough to put in a campaign attack ad, but perfectly acceptable when the political contributions are coming in.' Brown's campaign highlighted his opposition to Ohio's data center expansion, saying Husted 'led the charge' and that Ohioans should decide whether data centers are built in their community.

Husted's campaign responded by accusing Brown of playing politics and sticking Ohio families with higher electric bills. The House had passed bipartisan legislation requiring data center companies to pay for the power they use, but Senate Democrats blocked it.