Ohio Gubernatorial Candidates Face Scrutiny Over Data Center Investments Amidst Regulation Calls
Both leading candidates for Ohio governor are advocating for a pause in the rapid expansion of data centers within the state, despite holding significant personal investments in the very industry they seek to regulate. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Dr. Amy Acton have expressed concerns about the impact of data centers on utility bills, air quality, and water infrastructure. Ramaswamy's financial disclosures reveal a large portfolio with over a dozen holdings in companies tied to data centers, including NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon. A 2023 federal tax filing indicated Ramaswamy held up to $5 million in Microsoft alone. Dr. Acton's financial report also shows technology-related holdings, including Iron Mountain, which operates a data center in Ohio. These investments raise questions about potential conflicts of interest, as the governor oversees agencies that regulate data centers and determine tax incentives.
