Why Some Democrats Are Upset with Their Own Leaders Over Big Data Centers

A Lifelong Democrat Feels Let Down

Sarah Brabbs used to really like Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer.

• Sarah has voted Democrat almost her whole life.
• She owns Whitmer’s book and appreciated how Whitmer guided the state during the pandemic.
• Sarah says: “I will never not appreciate who she was during that time.”

But things changed when Whitmer showed support for a huge and controversial project.

Who Is Gretchen Whitmer?

Whitmer has been Michigan’s governor for eight years, which is the maximum allowed by state rules (this is called being “term-limited”).

• She describes herself as a no-nonsense, “get-it-done” politician.
• Because Michigan is a key battleground state (a place where elections can go either way), many see her as a possible Democratic candidate for president in 2028.

The Data Center That Caused Anger

Last month, Whitmer appeared on stage with Sam Altman, the boss of OpenAI (a company that makes artificial intelligence, or AI). They were celebrating the start of building a massive $16 billion data center in Saline Township, a rural area near Ann Arbor, Michigan.

• The project is being built by OpenAI and Oracle (another big tech company).
• Many local people strongly dislike the project.
• A photo from May 6, 2026, shows residents opposing the plan because they worry it will use farmland and hurt water and electricity supplies.

Important Point: Sarah Brabbs lives six miles from the data center. When she saw Whitmer supporting it, she felt “rage and sadness” and said it made her sick for a month. She felt Whitmer was “casually throwing us under the bus.”

Michigan congresswoman Rashida Tlaib called the governor’s support “disgusting.”

Why This Is a Big Deal for Politicians

In Midwest swing states like Michigan, most people do not like these data centers. Opposing them should be an easy way for politicians to win votes.

• But many Democratic politicians in battleground states have welcomed these projects instead.
• A data center is like a giant warehouse filled with computers that use lots of energy and water.

A recent national poll by Ipsos found:

• Democratic voters oppose data centers by 17% more than Republican voters do.
• Only 9% of Democrats want one in their own community, compared to 21% of Republicans.

What Is Happening in Other States?

New York Takes a Pause

On Tuesday, New York became the first US state to pause new data centers. Governor Kathy Hochul ordered a one-year stop on building large facilities.

Pennsylvania

Reports show the data center issue is bringing Republican and Democratic voters together in protest.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is another swing state where Trump won by less than 1% in 2024. Voters there are angry at Democratic leaders for supporting data centers.

• Governor Tony Evers said in September he was “grateful” for Microsoft’s data center in Racine County and called it a “modern marvel.”
• But just one month later, Microsoft cancelled a planned center in Caledonia after locals pushed back.
• Kelly Gallaher, chair of the Racine County Democratic Party, says older leaders think development brings money, but locals are now “cynical and skeptical.”

The Mount Pleasant site was previously a failed $10 billion Foxconn project from 2017. The village borrowed nearly $1 billion for that, so they welcomed Microsoft later.

Microsoft has now finished its first data center called Fairwater:

1. It claims this is the world’s “most powerful supercomputer.”
2. Two more are planned.
3. Together they may use up to 8.4 million gallons of water yearly from Lake Michigan.

Gallaher says: “The usage of incentives for these giant corporations have gotten completely out of control. People are finally getting wise to it.”

Trouble in Michigan’s Elections

In Michigan, Trump won by only 1.4% in 2024. Many Democratic voters are angry about rising utility costs and leaders ignoring their views on data centers.

• The leading Democratic candidate for governor, Jocelyn Benson, is married to a guy whose company is building the Saline data center.
• A May survey of 600 likely voters found 64% of Democrats did not want a data center within 25 miles of home (vs 51.5% of Republicans).

One Senate candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, is a progressive Democrat who:

• Called for part-public ownership of data centers.
• Is doing well against rival Haley Stevens in polls before the August 4 primary.
• Seems to be one of the few Michigan Democrats who gets the voters’ anger.

What Locals Say

Sarah Brabbs says of the Saline project: “I fucking hate it… there is not anything good that is happening for the township at all.”

She also says she is not against data centers everywhere:

• “I’m not saying that they shouldn’t happen anywhere.”
• “But the way that they’re happening is ridiculous, harmful and there’s nothing good about it.”

The Guardian asked Whitmer’s office and local Democratic leaders for comment. Emails were ignored or blocked, and one leader declined to talk by phone.

Important Point: Many Democratic voters feel their own party leaders are not listening to them about data centers, and this could hurt the party in future elections.

Summary

Whitmer and other Democratic governors in swing states have supported huge, unpopular data centers. This has angered longtime Democrats like Sarah Brabbs, hurt trust in the party, and made some candidates rethink their positions. While New York paused such projects, Midwest states are seeing voter backlash that could change elections.

FAQ

What is a data center?

A data center is a big building full of computers that store information and run AI. It uses a lot of electricity and water.

Why do people oppose data centers?

They worry about loss of farmland, higher utility bills, and too much water use from local lakes and cities.

What did Gretchen Whitmer do?

She appeared on stage with OpenAI’s CEO to support a $16 billion data center in rural Michigan, upsetting many local Democrats.

Is any state stopping data centers?

Yes, New York became the first state to order a one-year pause on new large data centers.

Are Democratic voters united on this?

No. Most Democratic voters oppose local data centers, but some party leaders still support them, causing conflict.