In Miami County, Indiana, a single issue is reshaping the local political landscape. Apple farmer Jason McClure, who had no intention of seeking office, filed as an independent candidate for county commissioner after the Miami County Plan Commission voted in May to recommend a data‑center ordinance and lift a temporary moratorium on such projects.
Hundreds of residents attended the commission meeting to voice opposition, and McClure said the decision was “the straw that broke my back.” He filed his candidacy the next day, pledging to reinstate the moratorium and give neighbors a voice.
Data centers become a county‑wide election theme
Across Indiana, the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers is turning into a defining issue for local races. Voters are now asked whether candidates for county commissioner and council seats support or oppose new data‑center developments. According to Chad Kinsella, director of Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs, “Data centers have kind of become this election cycle’s boogeyman.”
The University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service reported that Indiana began the year with 38 operational data centers and 37 more under construction or planned. Projects have since been proposed or approved in Kokomo, Hobart, Wheatfield, Frankfort and Sullivan County.
Public opinion on data‑center growth
A Free Press Indiana poll conducted by Bellwether Research found that nearly 70% of likely Indiana voters oppose construction of new data centers, while only 18% support further development and 13% remain unsure.
In Miami County, resident Shannon McFarland said she will vote for McClure because she “strongly opposes a data center anywhere in the county.”
Other county races reflect the same divide
In Jasper County, commissioners unanimously approved a $7 billion, 304‑acre Amazon data‑center campus near Wheatfield. Resident Shawna Reid, who opposes the project, is urging state legislators to draft a law allowing Hoosiers to remove commissioners for “serious misconduct” before their terms end.
Meanwhile, in LaPorte County, the race for commissioner pits Democrat Angela Henzman against Republican Jody Slabaugh. Henzman, while acknowledging concerns, favors tightly restricted industrial‑park development rather than a blanket ban. Slabaugh proposes a moratorium, echoing the stance of 32 other Indiana counties.
Economic arguments and voter sentiment
Republican incumbent Fred Musselman, who voted for the Miami County ordinance, argues the policy creates reasonable guardrails while delivering jobs and tax revenue. He said the upcoming November 3 election will reveal whether residents prefer his approach or a full moratorium.
A poll commissioned by the American Infrastructure Alliance showed a majority of Americans favor stricter data‑center guardrails over outright bans, with 55% supporting projects that fund their own electricity and protect environmental resources.
What’s at stake for Indiana voters
These local contests illustrate how technology‑driven development can become a flashpoint for community values, economic opportunity and environmental stewardship. As candidates clarify their positions, voters in Miami, Jasper, LaPorte and other counties will decide whether data‑center growth proceeds under tighter oversight or is halted by moratoriums.
For residents concerned about farmland, schools and quality of life, the upcoming elections offer a direct avenue to shape the future of Indiana’s digital infrastructure.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
