Brown and Husted Both Address AI Data Center Electricity Costs in Ohio Senate Race

Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown released two advertisements in July 2026 that criticize artificial intelligence data centers for raising electricity prices in Ohio. The ads form part of his campaign against Sen.

Jon Husted in the November special election for the state's U.S. Senate seat. Washington Examiner reported that Brown, who served three terms in the Senate before losing to Sen. Bernie Moreno by 3.6 percentage points in 2024, centers the spots on affordability.

One ad states: "Ohio’s electric grid: big corporations treat it like a game, gobbling up energy to feed their data centers, no matter how much it raises our prices. " Brown vows to require data centers to cover their full electricity costs and to prevent artificial intelligence companies from affecting residents' energy bills. The advertisements align with broader public sentiment.

A Gallup poll conducted in May 2026 found that seven in 10 Americans oppose data centers near their homes due to concerns over electric bills and water supplies. Husted has promoted Ohio as a technology center while also supporting ratepayer safeguards.

" In March 2026, Husted joined a White House roundtable to back President Donald Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge and stated that innovation in AI requires energy but that Ohio families remain concerned about their bills.

The November special election will fill the seat previously held by Vice President JD Vance. Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Husted to the position in early 2025. Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up.

The most recent New York Times/Siena poll showed Husted leading Brown by three points.