The Data Center Divide: A Tale of Two Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates

Wisconsin’s governor’s race has taken a peculiar turn, with Republican Tom Tiffany labeling his Democratic rival David Crowley as “Data Center David,” a corporate stooge willing to sacrifice the state’s natural beauty for Silicon Valley profits. But beneath the surface, the differences between these two candidates are more nuanced than their rhetoric suggests.

Tiffany and Crowley have engaged in a heated debate over data centers, with each trying to outdo the other in opposition to hyperscale development. This is not an ordinary partisan squabble; it’s a symptom of a deeper issue within the Democratic Party itself. Crowley’s primary victory over socialist Assembly member Francesca Hong was marked by his support for stricter regulations on data centers, rather than an outright ban.

However, Crowley has since hardened his stance against hyperscale development, sparking questions about whether this is a genuine shift in his views or merely a tactical maneuver to deflect criticism from his primary opponent. The facts suggest that Crowley’s position on data centers is not as clear-cut as he claims. His past enthusiasm for turning Wisconsin into a “data hub” and his close ties to sitting Governor Tony Evers, who has lavished tax subsidies on new computing campuses, raise questions about the sincerity of his anti-data center stance.

Tiffany’s attacks on Crowley’s corporate connections are also not entirely unfounded. While it is true that Crowley criticized Tiffany for voting to cut taxes on AI companies and shield them from state regulations, Crowley himself has a history of championing organized labor in the data center industry. This has led some to question whether Crowley would be more effective at curbing data center development than his opponent.

The real issue here is not which candidate would be more effective at limiting data center growth, but rather what this says about the Democratic Party’s relationship with corporate power. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has introduced measures to slow down “predatory” data center developments, demonstrating a growing recognition that hyperscale growth comes with costs.

Wisconsin’s data center debate may seem like an esoteric sideshow in national politics – but it speaks to a deeper truth about the Democratic Party’s identity. Are they willing to prioritize labor interests over environmental concerns and community input when those values come into conflict? Or will they continue to paper over their differences with empty rhetoric and platitudes?

The data center divide in Wisconsin’s governor’s race is not just a local issue – it’s a microcosm of the larger debate unfolding across the country. As Crowley and Tiffany jockey for position on this issue, one thing is certain: their decision will ultimately reveal which path they choose to prioritize – corporate interests or community needs.