U.S. Senate · South Dakota
Side-by-side comparison of candidate stances on AI hyperscale data center moratoriums, electricity rate hikes, water depletion, and Super PAC funding.
Candidate Position
- Co-chair of the Senate AI Caucus and champion of domestic artificial intelligence infrastructure, warning against slowing development and emphasizing global technological competitiveness (SD Searchlight / Yahoo News).
- Praised state guardrails on hyperscalers while supporting project recruitment: “The governor and the legislature have already put strict guidelines on data centers in South Dakota, and the top of that list is local control. Data centers shouldn't raise local utility rates; in fact, they should lower them” (Dakota News Now).
- Backed by more than $815,000 in AI and tech-linked contributions, including over $215,000 from employees and PACs tied to OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta, alongside outside Super PAC spending (WIRED / Zetik). Former chief of staff and campaign advisor serves as a registered Meta lobbyist.
Sources & Verified Statements
“The governor and the legislature have already put strict guidelines on data centers in South Dakota, and the top of that list is local control. Data centers shouldn't raise local utility rates; in fact, they should lower them. And local communities should decide whether or not to welcome them.”
Candidate Position
- Penned an October guest column calling for strict state and national firewalls on Big Tech: “We Must Stop Unchecked Development Of AI And Data Centers” (Aberdeen Insider).
- Emphasizes the need for societal guardrails while acknowledging technological trade-offs: “What sort of world do we want to shape? What sort of society do we want to live in? And the benefits if they start going to the broader society, then people will come around to go, 'ya data centers, there are some sacrifices, but the broader benefits to Americans and to our community are worth the trade-off'” (Dakota News Now).
- Financial disclosures indicate minor legacy tech holdings under $50 in a diversified retirement account, which he has pledged to divest (Dakota News Now).
Sources & Verified Statements
“What sort of world do we want to shape? What sort of society do we want to live in? And the benefits if they start going to the broader society, then people will come around to go, 'ya data centers, there are some sacrifices, but the broader benefits to Americans and to our community are worth the trade-off.'”