Sen. Jon Husted is using the Ratepayer Protection Act — a bill that would push data centers to pay for new electricity and grid upgrades — as a core issue in his tight Ohio Senate race against Sherrod Brown. Recent polls show the contest narrowing and RealClearPolitics labels it a toss-up. Republicans hope passing the bill before Election Day would let them claim action on affordability; if Democrats block it, Republicans plan to spotlight the vote. Data centers have drawn scrutiny because of their large power demands, especially for AI infrastructure.
Husted Elevates Data-Center Bill as Campaign Weapon in Tight Ohio Senate Race
Sen. Jon Husted (Eric Lee/Getty Images)
Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) is turning the Ratepayer Protection Act — legislation aimed at ensuring data centers help cover new electricity and grid costs — into a central talking point in his close Senate contest with former Sen. Sherrod Brown, according to Politico.
The Senate is set to consider Husted's bill this week, giving the Republican candidate a timely platform to press affordability messages as early voting begins and recent polls show a narrowing margin in the race.
What the Bill Would Do
The legislation, which passed the House with near-unanimous support, would require states to consider frameworks that make data centers responsible for costs tied to new electricity generation, transmission and other grid upgrades needed to serve their power demands.
Campaign Stakes
Husted has emphasized voter concerns about rising energy bills and the growing power needs of artificial intelligence infrastructure, arguing the bill responds to those concerns. He pointed to bipartisan rhetoric on the topic and urged lawmakers to act.
“I am responding to what the voters want: They want the data centers to be held accountable for the costs of new electricity and infrastructure,” Husted told Politico. “If Democrats say they care about affordability… and Republicans say the same thing, well, then let's just get this done.”
Husted acknowledged his race against Brown has been difficult, noting past spending disparities before recent ad parity. He has used the data-center issue to contrast his stance with Brown’s earlier support for data-center investments in Ohio.
Polling And Political Strategy
Recent polls show the contest tightening. A Quantus Insights survey (Sept. 21–23) put Brown at 48% and Husted at 47%, while a Trafalgar Group poll (Sept. 14–16) showed Brown 45% to Husted’s 42%. A Bowling Green State University/YouGov poll in early September had Brown ahead 48% to 45%. The RealClearPolitics average lists Brown at 48.2% and Husted at 44.2%, and rates the race a toss-up.
Republicans hope that if the Senate passes the bill unchanged it could reach President Donald Trump's desk before Election Day, allowing Husted to claim tangible action on affordability. If Democrats try to block the measure, Republican strategists plan to highlight the roll-call vote in closing campaign messages.
“We have to put a roll-call vote to put the Democrats on record,” Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) told Politico.
Broader Context
Data centers have become a flashpoint in the Ohio race amid concerns that their large energy demands — amplified by new AI applications — could contribute to higher electricity costs for other customers. Republican operatives have also privately warned that the issue could be politically risky for their party if voters perceive data centers as driving rate increases.
Husted has accused Democrats of exploiting the issue for political gain rather than offering solutions. "The voters just need to know that the Democrats aren't serious about solving this problem. They're serious at exploiting it. They own it now," he said.
Reporting in this piece relies on Politico coverage and public polling aggregates. © 2026 Newsmax.
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