Ohio Senate Race Turns on Data Centers

Incumbent Republican Sen. Jon Husted and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown are locked in a tight Ohio Senate contest where AI-driven data centers dominate the debate. A private memo from the National Republican Senatorial Committee warns that backlash could jeopardize Husted’s seat in November 2026.

Backlash to data centers could cost GOP a Senate seat in Ohio, Republicans warn WHAT OHIOANS ARE WATCHING: Jon Husted Begs For Billionaires And Corporations To Bail Out Failing Campaign ‘The anchor around Husted’s neck’: Data centers are dominating Ohio politics Raw StoryColumbus Dispatch

Ohio hosts more than 200 data centers, ranking fifth nationwide, according to the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel. Projects such as a proposed 10-gigawatt campus in Pike County and an “AI factory” announced by Nvidia and OpenAI in Portsmouth have drawn attention for their electricity demands. Critics say the facilities strain power grids, raise water-use concerns, and deliver few long-term jobs. A Gallup poll this spring found 71 % of Americans oppose locating data centers in their communities, while a Bowling Green State University poll showed over 70 % of Ohio respondents favor a temporary ban on new sites.

Backlash to data centers could cost GOP a Senate seat in Ohio, Republicans warn

• Data-center count: >200 existing facilities (Ohio Consumers’ Counsel); 240 reported by Data Center Map.

Columbus Dispatch

• Power-plant closures: 23 Ohio plants, representing half of the state’s daily electricity use, were shut under Democratic administrations, per Husted.

CNBC

• Polling: Two Fox News surveys place Brown ahead of Husted by eight points; a separate Fox poll shows Brown at 53 % to Husted’s 45 %.

WHAT OHIOANS ARE WATCHING: Jon Husted Begs For Billionaires And Corporations To Bail Out Failing Campaign

• Utility impact: Projected summer electric bills for Ohio households exceed $800, according to local reports.

ICYMI: Ohioans In Lima Rally Against Jon Husted For Bringing Hundreds of Data Centers to Ohio

Husted’s campaign says he has introduced federal legislation requiring data-center operators to pay for the power they consume and to return excess electricity to the grid. Brown’s manager, Patrick Eisenhauer, called the data-center issue central to the campaign’s strategy.

The Hill

Local Democrats and community leaders have organized rallies against Husted’s record. Shelby County Democratic Party chair Chris Gibbs warned that Husted’s “giveaway to data centers” has driven up utility rates and limited community decision-making. Lima City Councilwoman Jeannine Jordan criticized Husted for suggesting residents could simply reduce demand to curb data-center growth.

ICYMI: Ohioans In Lima Rally Against Jon Husted For Bringing Hundreds of Data Centers to Ohio

Labor unions, traditionally aligned with Democrats, have expressed mixed views. Some highlight job potential in data-center construction, while others point to “closed-door” negotiations and a lack of transparency.

The Hill

Sources differ on the exact number of data centers in Ohio, citing “more than 200” versus “240.” Polling figures also vary: Fox News surveys report an eight-point Brown lead, while another Fox poll lists a 53 %–45 % split. No source provides definitive data on the precise impact of data centers on individual household electricity bills.

Columbus Dispatch

Husted is expected to advance his federal bill on data-center power costs in the coming weeks. The NRSC plans to continue outreach to AI companies, urging them to improve public perception of data-center projects. Both campaigns are slated to release additional advertising as the November election approaches.

Raw Story