Ohio voters are seeing a fresh attack ad this week that pits former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown against Republican Sen. Jon Husted in the state’s pivotal Senate race. The ad, which debuted on Sept. 4, accuses Husted of driving the state’s rapid data‑center expansion and warns that the growth could lead to higher electric bills for Ohio families.
Google money behind Brown’s record
The ad’s focus on data‑center costs comes as campaign‑finance records show Brown has accepted significant contributions from Google’s corporate political action committee and from lobbyists who work for the tech giant. Fox News Digital’s review of Federal Election Commission filings indicates Google’s PAC gave Brown $20,000 over his career. In addition, Brown received donations from two individuals who lobby for Google: lobbyist Lisa Kountoupes contributed $3,500 in March, and lobbyist Michael D. Smith has given a total of $10,200 since 2017.
Both lobbyists were hired by Google to advance “permitting reform” and “grid reliability and energy affordability” issues tied to the company’s data‑center needs. Federal lobbying disclosures confirm that Kountoupes’s firm, Kountoupes Denham Carr & Reid, began representing Google in December, while Smith’s firm, Cornerstone Government Affairs, has been working on similar matters. Brown’s principal campaign committee, Friends of Sherrod Brown, received these contributions.
Brown’s stance on data centers
Brown’s campaign spokeswoman, Lauren Chou, framed the issue as a fight for Ohio families, saying Husted is the “chief reason” Ohio now hosts 226 data centers and that residents should not be forced to subsidize the facilities. The statement did not address the donor relationship with Google, leaving a gap that GOP strategist and Ohio attorney Mehek Cooke highlighted.
“Apparently Google is terrible enough to put in a campaign attack ad, but perfectly acceptable when the political contributions are coming in,” Cooke said. “If Google’s Lancaster investment is so bad for Ohio, why was Google political money acceptable to Sherrod Brown?”
Trump’s support for data‑center growth
President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Ohio to welcome data‑center development, warning that communities that block such projects risk falling “backwards and poor.” His administration’s emphasis on expanding AI, computing capacity, and energy infrastructure aligns with the industry’s push for more facilities in the Midwest.
In response to the ad, Husted’s campaign spokesperson Amy Natoce accused Brown of failing Ohio families during his 32‑year tenure in Washington and of resorting to “lies” instead of supporting bipartisan legislation that would require data‑center operators to pay for the power they consume. The legislation, which passed the House overwhelmingly, was blocked by Senate Democrats, according to the spokesperson.
Local impact and voter concerns
Ohio’s data‑center boom has become a defining issue in the upcoming midterm elections. While the industry promises jobs and tax revenue, many residents worry about rising electricity costs and the strain on the state’s power grid. The ad’s emphasis on these concerns reflects a broader voter anxiety about energy affordability.
Polls show Ohio voters remain divided on the best path forward, but the trend indicates growing scrutiny of candidates’ financial ties to tech firms. Brown, who previously served in the Senate from 2006 until his 2024 defeat by Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno, is seeking a comeback in this high‑stakes race.
What’s next for the campaign?
Both campaigns are expected to continue highlighting their positions on data‑center policy as the election draws near. Brown will likely need to address the donor record more directly, while Husted will emphasize the economic benefits of expanding the industry under the President’s guidance.
Ohio voters will have the final say in November, weighing the promise of jobs and technological advancement against concerns about energy costs and the influence of corporate money in politics.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
