Polls suggest many Democratic voters oppose AI data center projects, even as party leaders champion such investments.
In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer's support for a $16 billion OpenAI and Oracle data center in Saline Township has angered longtime Democratic voters like Sarah Brabbs.
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Brabbs, who lives six miles from the site, said she felt "rage and sadness" seeing Whitmer on stage with OpenAI's Sam Altman.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib called the governor's position "disgusting."
Growing Opposition Across Swing States
An Ipsos poll found Democratic voters oppose data centers by a 17% margin compared to Republicans.
Only 9% of Democrats supported a data center in their community, versus 21% of Republicans.
In Wisconsin, Democratic Governor Tony Evers praised Microsoft's data center complex in Mount Pleasant as a "modern marvel."
But local Democratic chair Kelly Gallaher said voters are "so cynical and so skeptical" of such projects. Microsoft canceled a planned data center in Caledonia after local pushback.
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New York became the first state to enact a one-year moratorium on new data centers, via an executive order by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Political Implications in Michigan
In Michigan, where Trump won by 1.4% in 2024, anger over data centers could hurt establishment candidates.
Leading gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson is married to an executive of the real estate company developing the Saline Township site.
A May survey found 64% of Michigan Democrats opposed a data center within 25 miles of their home, compared to 51.5% of Republicans.
Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has called for partial public ownership of data centers.
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Brabbs said she is not opposed to all data centers, but added: "The way that they're happening is ridiculous, harmful and there's nothing good about it."
