Michigan's gubernatorial candidates addressed the growing backlash over artificial intelligence data centers Thursday, offering competing visions on how to regulate these massive facilities that have drawn protests from rural communities across the state.
Five candidates appeared at a forum hosted by the Michigan Press Association's annual convention in East Lansing, where they shared their approaches to a contentious issue that has dominated Michigan politics this spring.
Republican former Attorney General Mike Cox encouraged communities that did not want data centers to enact local moratoriums. He also acknowledged that some communities might welcome these facilities, citing the dozens of smaller data centers already operating in Michigan.
"I would encourage every single community to exercise local control," Cox said. "Let locals decide."
Republican state Senate Leader Aric Nesbitt argued the state should be open for business, not for sale. He said the government should not subsidize data centers and suggested moving them to industrial zones rather than farms and forest land.
Nesbitt also proposed that any data center project should be paired with lower energy rates for residential users and lower property taxes for residents.
Republican businessman Perry Johnson, a Bloomfield Hills native running for governor, suggested the state put in place programs to regulate the facilities, including a prohibition on energy cost increases that exceed inflation.
"We have to have a way of regulating this and making sure that it makes sense and we're not doing that," Johnson said.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, a Democratic primary opponent of incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, also participated in the forum. Swanson criticized the lack of additional opportunities for public comment before the Michigan Public Service Commission on data center developments.
"When you shove it down people's throat and they don't have the ability to go to their local commission and have their voice heard, that's a problem," Swanson said. "When public service commissioners shut down public comment, that's a problem."
Swanson suggested the state should be divided into tiers of openness to such developments and proceed accordingly. He noted that though he has never smoked cannabis, he remains supportive of the industry.
Longtime pastor Ralph Rebandt of Farmington Hills, who now lives in Otsego County, raised concerns about data centers' effects on the environment, water, and noise pollution. He also criticized the lack of community involvement in decision-making.
"I'm not against technology; I would still be riding my pony if I was," Rebandt said. "But the reality is we have to make sure we're careful for the next generation, to protect the environment for them, to protect their future."
All candidates at the forum said they would voluntarily subject themselves to public records requests, a promise Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also made during her campaign but has not kept.
"Right now, as you all know, the governor could be giving you all the information you're asking for," Cox said. "Any state senator or state representative could be doing the same thing, voluntarily."
Democratic nominee for governor Jocelyn Benson did not attend the forum. Benson's team issued a statement after the forum saying her husband, Ryan Friedrichs, has recused himself from all work within Michigan. Benson believes any data centers built in Michigan need to do right by Michiganders.
Friedrichs works for Related Cos., a subsidiary of which, Related Digital, is partnering with Oracle AI on OpenAI Stargate, a data center project in Saline Township.
Former House Speaker Tom Leonard dropped his bid for governor earlier in the day, hours before the candidate forum. Republican U.S. Rep. John James, Whitmer, and former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, an independent, did not attend the forum.
The candidate forum was moderated by Detroit News reporter Craig Mauger.