Will the outcome of Wisconsin’s gubernatorial campaign be determined by which candidate is viewed as more opposed to the proliferation of hyperscale data centers?
Republican candidate Tom Tiffany’s latest television ad fired the first shot on the issue, labeling Democrat David Crowley as “data center David Crowley” because of his past comments supporting data center development.
The ad said Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, replied to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel questionnaire by saying he does not support automatically rolling back tax incentives for data center development.
Proposals for large data centers, which accommodate artificial intelligence applications, have generated intense public opposition over their potential effects on utility rates, water usage and other environmental impacts.
The Crowley campaign responded to Tiffany’s ad in a Wisconsin Public Radio article, accusing Tiffany of lying about Crowley’s record and noting that as a congressman, Tiffany has voted for pro-data center legislation.
Jonathan Fera, a spokesperson for the Crowley campaign, said in a statement that Tiffany can’t defend his support of President Donald Trump’s “cost-raising agenda.”
Tiffany represents Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District and has been endorsed for governor by President Trump.
The WPR report said Tiffany’s ad does not include Crowley’s full response to the Journal Sentinel questionnaire, where he also said there must be more rigorous review of data center proposals.
