Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Former Data Center Supporters Turn Against Them in Campaigns
Sherrod Brown and Jon Husted are competing in an Ohio Senate race.
Brown says Husted strongly supported data centers and artificial intelligence.
Brown now criticizes Husted for seeming to change his position.
Husted says he has not changed his mind.
He says he has always wanted data-center companies to pay more for electricity.
He also says they should pay local taxes.
Husted recently introduced a bill with stricter rules for these facilities.
The disagreement shows how data centers have become an important campaign issue.
Sherrod Brown is targeting Republican Senator Jon Husted in Ohio’s Senate contest.
Brown calls Husted “the face of data centers” and accuses him of reversing his earlier support.
Husted says his position has not changed.
Husted says he has consistently advocated for companies to pay more for electricity and local taxes.
Husted introduced legislation last month that would establish stricter standards for data centers.
- Who
- Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown and Republican Senator Jon Husted.
- What
- Brown is criticizing Husted over his support for artificial intelligence and data centers, while Husted defends his record and promotes stricter standards.
- When
- The article says Husted introduced the legislation last month and refers to this year’s Senate contest.
- Where
- Ohio and the United States Congress.
- Why
- Brown is accusing Husted of backpedaling on data centers; Husted says his position has remained consistent and includes requiring companies to pay more for power and local taxes.
Brown’s criticism
Husted’s defense
Whether Husted changed his position
Brown’s criticism
Sherrod Brown accuses Husted of championing data centers in the past and now backpedaling on that support.
Husted’s defense
Jon Husted says his stance has not changed and that he has always supported requiring companies to pay more for power and local taxes.
Data-center policy
Brown’s criticism
Brown is using Husted’s association with artificial intelligence and data centers as a criticism in the Senate contest.
Husted’s defense
Husted says his approach includes stricter standards, which he sought to codify through legislation introduced in Congress.
- Senate contest
- Sherrod Brown is the Democratic nominee in this year’s Ohio Senate contest, according to the article.
- Target of criticism
- Brown is targeting Republican Senator Jon Husted.
- Brown’s description
- Brown calls Husted “the face of data centers.”
- Husted’s position
- Husted says his stance on data centers has not changed.
- Company payments
- Husted says he has consistently supported companies paying more for power and local taxes.
- Recent legislation
- Husted introduced legislation in Congress last month to codify stricter standards for data centers.