Ohio voters are facing a defining choice in the upcoming Senate race as the debate over a massive data‑center development in Pike County takes center stage. Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who has represented the seat since 2025, argues that local communities should decide whether to host such facilities and that tech companies must pay for the power they consume, protecting working families, small businesses and senior citizens from inflated electric bills.
Project promises jobs and investment
The proposed site, backed by OpenAI, S.B. Energy, NVIDIA and the U.S. Department of Energy, is projected to create about 35,000 new jobs through 2032 and deliver $120 million in community investment. It would draw roughly eight gigawatts of electricity—about the output of eight large power plants—making Ohio a national hub for high‑tech infrastructure.
Legislative response
In July, Sen. Husted introduced legislation requiring state utility regulators to consider standards that would make the largest power users cover the costs of the plants, transmission lines and substations built to serve them. The bill also calls for financial assurances so families aren’t left footing the bill if a project is delayed, downsized or abandoned. While the measure passed the Ohio House 417‑3, it stalled in the Senate after Sen. Martin Heinrich (D‑New Mexico) objected to a request for unanimous consent.
Trump administration’s stance
President Trump has championed rapid data‑center construction as a way to keep the United States ahead of competitors like China. The administration’s emphasis on swift development aligns with Husted’s goal of attracting high‑tech investment, while also respecting the principle that local elected officials and citizens should have the final say.
Campaign tactics
Brown’s campaign has aired television ads urging an end to the tax breaks Ohio offers to lure tech firms, accusing Husted of handing away billions in tax dollars. One ad features an Ohio resident protesting a Google data center in Lancaster, saying, “No one asked for that data center to be built here, and no one here is getting a damn thing from it, except higher electric bills.” In contrast, Husted has not run ads on the issue, focusing instead on legislative action and local control.
Historical context of tax incentives
Data centers have benefited from state and local tax breaks since at least 2017, with $2.5 billion awarded through 2024, according to the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. While Brown previously praised a Licking County data center in 2015 and secured funding for a Dayton research center, his current position emphasizes greater scrutiny of tax incentives.
Fundraising and election outlook
Brown holds a significant fundraising advantage, reporting $38.6 million in recent FEC filings compared with Husted’s $14.4 million. As of June 30, Brown had $16.2 million on hand, while Husted reported $9.4 million. The race is rated a toss‑up by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, and the outcome will determine which party controls the Senate during the final two years of President Trump’s term.
What Ohio voters need to know
Voters will head to the polls on Nov. 3 for the midterm elections. The data‑center issue highlights broader questions about economic development, energy costs and the role of federal versus local decision‑making. Residents are encouraged to consider how each candidate’s approach aligns with the values of strong families, faith‑based communities and individual liberty.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
