Full Breakdown
Utah Senate President Ousted Amid Data Center Backlash
6/25/2026, 7:51:47 AM
Senate President Defeated Over Data Center
Republican Senate President J. Stuart Adams lost the June 23, 2026 primary to attorney Stephanie Hollist, earning 34 % versus Hollist’s 43 %. As chair of the Utah Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), Adams was blamed for fast-tracking the Stratos data-center in Box Elder County. Commissioners Boyd Bingham and Lee Perry also fell.
Stratos Project Overview
The Stratos project, financed by “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary, proposes a 40,000-acre AI data center in the Hansel Valley. It would need up to 9 GW of power—over twice Utah’s current annual electricity use—and large water volumes, while receiving 100 % property-tax relief under a MIDA-designated economic-development area.
Key Figures
Key figures include Senate President J. Stuart Adams (MIDA chair), challenger Stephanie Hollist, investor Kevin O’Leary, and the Box Elder County commissioners.
Polls and Numbers
A Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll of 850 Utah voters (June 16-22) found 60 % opposed Stratos, up from 53 % in May, with 26 % support. A BEAR poll showed over 70 % county opposition. A March Gallup poll reported 70 % of Americans and 63 % of Republicans opposed local data-center construction. Turnout was about 33 %.
Political Implications
The defeats signal a rare intra-party backlash against large-scale AI infrastructure in a Republican state. Lawmakers elsewhere are weighing moratoriums on new data-center projects, and Utah legislators are reevaluating fast-track approvals.
Official Statements
Kevin O’Leary said the election does not change Stratos’s viability, calling it an investment and urging support. Paul Palandjian, CEO of O’Leary Digital, said elections change personnel but not the work ahead, pledging to “listen and learn.” House speaker Mike Schultz blamed O’Leary’s “wrong approach,” while state officials confirmed MIDA’s designation remains unchanged.
Opposition Viewpoint
Activists warned the project could deplete water, strain energy supplies, and proceeded without public input. BEAR called the election a “message vote” against back-room deals, saying officials pressured commissioners after land acquisition.
Conflicting Data & Gaps
Polls differ on opposition—70 % county versus 60 % statewide—and water-use estimates remain unverified. The 9 GW power demand is described as “more than double Utah’s annual use,” yet energy-supply analyses are unavailable.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Do I think that the data center vote cost me the election? Yes I do,” — Lee Perry, Commissioner
- “Everybody who touched the data center went down,” — Brenna Williams, BEAR organizer
- “I don't think it changes Stratos at all,” — Kevin O’Leary, investor
- “Elections change personnel; they don’t change the work in front of us,” — Paul Palandjian, CEO
What’s Next
MIDA will seek Stratos permits as Utah lawmakers debate data-center moratoriums and tax reforms. November’s elections will test if challengers who opposed the project retain their seats, and Congress is reviewing bills to protect communities from high-energy-use facilities.
