Data centers emerge as growing wedge issue in midterm races

Data centers are becoming a contentious issue in midterm elections as candidates balance economic benefits against rising utility costs for voters. In Michigan's gubernatorial race, Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is calling for regulations on water usage and energy costs related to data centers, while her husband works as a top executive at a company seeking to build a new data center. Republican candidate Tom Leonard is taking a harder stance by pushing for a temporary moratorium on new data center construction. The issue reflects broader tensions as the tech industry's infrastructure expansion creates jobs but also strains local power grids and water resources. Candidates are using data center policy positions to appeal to voters concerned about both economic development and utility bill increases.