Sherrod Brown Launches Ohio TV Ad Targeting Billions in Data Center Tax Breaks
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 14
Sherrod Brown Launches Ohio TV Ad Targeting Billions in Data Center Tax Breaks
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 14
Summary
Sherrod Brown rolled out a new Ohio television ad accusing Republican Sen. Jon Husted of leading “sweetheart tax deals” for data centers that handed billions to out-of-state companies and raised residents’ power bills.
The attack targets Husted’s record as lieutenant governor, when he helped put the state’s data center tax breaks in place, in a Senate race seen as one of the country’s most competitive and potentially decisive for chamber control.
Brown has called for ending those tax breaks and giving local communities control over whether facilities get built, though he has not said whether he backs a broader construction moratorium.
Husted says local decisions should be respected and argues many communities want data centers for school revenue, property-tax relief and thousands of skilled-trades jobs.
Ohio’s fight reflects a wider 2026 campaign split over AI infrastructure, with Pennsylvania tightening reporting rules, New York imposing a large-data-center moratorium and candidates in both parties turning the issue into an election weapon.
Data centers promise jobs but strain resources. Is there a way for towns to gain the economic benefits without the environmental burden?
As AI's thirst for power grows, can local communities afford the hidden costs of hosting the data centers that fuel it?
With public opposition halting projects, how can the tech industry build its vital AI infrastructure without overwhelming local power grids and water supplies?
Ohio’s Data Center Incentives: Billions Lost, Political Divisions, and the Fight for Reform
Overview
The 2026 Ohio Senate race is being shaped by a heated debate over data center tax breaks, which has become a major political battleground. This issue exposes deep divisions within the Republican party and highlights complex economic and environmental concerns. State Senator George Lang has raised alarms about local governments potentially losing revenue if tax credits are changed, while also questioning the state's ability to manage its budget surplus. These tensions, illustrated in committee meetings, show how the political landscape around data centers is challenging for candidates and is driving broader discussions about fiscal policy and corporate incentives in Ohio.