In the past year, I have closely followed data center stories throughout the state of Michigan, particularly the University of Michigan’s development in Ypsilanti Township and OpenAI’s in Saline Township. Some data center projects have gone through despite public disapproval; however, many have also faced successful resistance movements, like those in Kalkaska, Howell, Wixom and Augusta Township.
One thing that has struck me as the midterm elections approach is how politicians have begun attending data center meetings alongside the citizens they either already represent or hope to. Watching the issue’s visibility increase, it has become quite clear that data centers will be a deciding factor in this consequential election year.
At an Ypsilanti Board of Trustees meeting in August, Ypsilanti Township resident Veleria Banks called on her community to act and criticized current state leaders.
“Let them know we aren’t going to stand for this,” Banks said. “And let our governor know: Your exit interview is an F.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has drawn scorn from Michiganders after opening Michigan’s doors to data centers in 2024. Once beloved, she has become a pariah among progressive Democrats for passing tax breaks for data center developers through the Michigan Legislature and serving as a vocal proponent of these projects. Now, in a contentious election year, politicians must either learn from Whitmer’s fall from grace or face challenges in the coming months.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., gave a very straightforward answer to rising data center concerns. She emphasized a need for federal regulation, and when asked about whether the state of Michigan should impose a moratorium, she was blunt.
“I don’t think it should be coming into any community that doesn’t want it,” Dingell said.
And communities resoundingly don’t want it. At Ypsilanti Board of Trustees meetings and a recent University-sanctioned public forum, they made that clear.
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State Rep. Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor, watches the panel at the University of Michigan’s data center meeting at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. Photo courtesy of Elena Nicholson. -
Attendees cheer in support of a speaker at the University of Michigan’s data center meeting at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. Photo courtesy of Elena Nicholson. -
Ypsilanti Resident addresses the panel at the University of Michigan’s data center meeting at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. Photo courtesy of Elena Nicholson.
At these meetings, some attendees are U-M employees or former students, some live right next to a proposed data site in Southeastern Michigan, some have never spoken to a crowd in their lives and some commanded the room with practiced presence. Two politicians — Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi, Democratic nominee for Ann Arbor mayor, and Amir Makled, Democratic nominee for University of Michigan Board of Regents — sat among township residents at one such meeting. At another, Regent Paul Brown (D); state Reps. Jimmie Wilson Jr., D-Ypsilanti, and Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor; and Dingell were in attendance.
These eclectic groups of residents and politicians have demonstrated another theme I have noticed in data center conflicts: Strange coalitions are forming in Michigan as communities unite against their common enemy — data center developers.
Across party lines, voters are extremely concerned about data center policy. This bipartisan issue will decide elections, especially in Michigan, where development proposals seem to be springing up from nowhere. Particularly in the southeastern region, voters are saying that they will swing toward candidates that oppose data centers out of concern for their livelihoods — electricity bills, property value and water quality.
Now that Republican and Democratic candidates alike have vowed support for data center moratoriums, the onus is on voters to evaluate which candidates’ promises are serious about following through once they are elected.
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, maintains a nuanced policy on data centers that puts people first, rather than the corporations descending upon Michigan cities. Notably, he has called for a pause on AI development. He has demonstrated his dedication to these ideas, joining protesters near the Saline data center to speak about his perspective.
Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, has financial ties to artificial intelligence companies and has previously made comments promoting AI development, all of which has raised questions about his commitments. In August, when asked about data centers in Michigan, he was hesitant to respond, giving a half hearted response about pausing development. Later that day, he announced his support for a one-year moratorium. Rogers, like every other candidate up for election this year, knows that being a proponent of data centers in the state would be unwise.
Skepticism is not limited to Rogers, though. It is also fair to question Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee’s, call for a moratorium, considering her husband’s previous role on the board of Related Companies — the company that infamously developed the Saline data center. Republican gubernatorial nominee John James has also called for a state-wide moratorium, but has been accused of taking money from data center developers.
Data centers are one of the critical talking points in this election, and voting candidates into office that will actually protect them will be a priority for many Michigan voters.
Current and prospective Michigan leaders have incentives to oppose data center projects, so thinking critically about their actual engagement with the issues is essential. While few have come out to say they support AI development, it is worth noting that avoiding the conversation is insufficient for Michigan residents who are afraid for their well-being.
Constituents have shown that they are willing to vote across party lines in order to protect their communities from being taken advantage of by data center developers. Politicians know that, and have fallen in line by supporting moratoriums. It is up to voters now to decide whose commitments about data centers have been made in earnest.
Editorial Page Editor Elena Nicholson writes about environmental issues. She can be reached at elenagn@umich.edu.
