President Donald Trump defended artificial intelligence data centers on Saturday during a campaign rally in Vandalia, Ohio. The facilities remain a major campaign issue across the state as congressional elections approach. Trump spoke to support Republican Sen. Jon Husted in a tight race.
Trump praised Husted for his legislative efforts on the matter. He said the facilities bring revenue to the area.
“Look, there’s so much money to be made for Ohio. You can’t just turn them off. They’ll go to China,” Trump said.
Voters have voiced concerns regarding electricity prices, farmland, and local water supplies. Husted faces criticism for attracting the facilities while serving as lieutenant governor.
The stop is part of a planned 32-day tour before the Nov. 3 elections. Trump visited Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama earlier in the week before traveling to Ohio.
Husted was appointed to the seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance. He faces former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who previously lost to Republican Bernie Moreno.
Sen. Tim Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, called the contest a dead-even race. Senate Republicans attempted to pass legislation sponsored by Husted this past week. The bill asked regulators to charge large power users higher rates.
Nearly all Democrats blocked the measure. Brown criticized Husted on social media before the event.
“Senator Jon Husted gave billions in tax breaks to Big Tech to make sure they would build their data centers in Ohio,” Brown wrote on X on Friday. “Now, he’s making Ohioans foot the bill.”
Brown also criticized Husted over campaign donations from retail magnate Les Wexner. Husted gave the remaining Wexner contributions to an anti-human trafficking charity.
Protesters held signs along the road outside the Vandalia school venue. Inside the gymnasium, attendees cheered as the Republican speakers took the stage.
Husted highlighted current economic figures during his speech. “We now have the most jobs and the lowest unemployment rate we’ve ever had in the history of Ohio,” he said.
In the governor race, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is running against Democrat Dr. Amy Acton. Ramaswamy addressed the crowd before Trump arrived at the venue.
Senate campaigns involve candidates competing for seats in the upper chamber of the United States Congress. Representatives serve six-year staggered terms to represent their entire home state.
Trump maintained that the national economy is growing during his southwestern Ohio visit.
