In this month's Stop Data Centers series, we'll begin looking at the ways that data centers are already changing voters' minds and transforming the midterm elections.
About this event
Driven by the explosion of AI infrastructure and its immense resource demands, data centers have become a highly salient, contentious, and rapidly evolving political and environmental issue that cuts across political parties. Third Act is convening monthly calls on data centers this year to cover multiple strategic pathways to counter the threat. We’ve already covered legislative, site fight, corporate, and regulatory approaches; this month we’ll begin looking at the ways that data centers threats are already changing voters’ minds and transforming the midterm elections.
Lauren Kuby, Arizona State Senator
Lauren Kuby is recognized as a national champion for climate action and collaborative governance. As an Arizona State Senator, her advocacy for the people and against corporate interests earned her Progress Arizona’s “Rookie of the Year” and the 2nd-highest score in the Legislature.
Lisa Kaul, running for State Senator in New York
Lisa Kaul grew up in India, earned her PhD at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and later immigrated to the United States, where she became a citizen. In 2023, she flipped a red seat blue to join the Dutchess County Legislature and serves on the board of Planned Parenthood Greater New York Action Fund. Her campaign is focused on lowering the cost of living, and she sees climate change as a key driver of the affordability crisis, arguing that to address one, we must address the other.
Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson, a candidate for Reno City Council Ward 2, highlights the rapid influx of data centers and their strain on local resources—such as water and power infrastructure. Data center development, along with related resource usage (water and energy) and growth management, consistently ranks as a top voter concern. Johnson has criticized the current city council for having a “feedback problem,” noting that residents often show up fired up to speak about controversial infrastructure and development issues—like data centers—only to feel like decisions were already predetermined behind closed doors.
Michael Richardson, moderator
Michael Richardson is the national campaigns director at Third Act, a national organization of elders using their life experiences, skills, and resources to safeguard the climate and uplift democracy. Across his wide-ranging career, including organic farmer, solar heating contractor, labor economist, county legislator, and municipal consultant, Michael has consistently applied his skills to strengthening democracy, protecting the climate and advancing the rapid transition to renewable energy.
