AI Data Center Backlash Reshapes Michigan Swing District Race

In the central Michigan town of Mason, a contentious city council meeting this week drew residents united against a proposed artificial intelligence data center — and the most visible figure standing with them was the local Democratic candidate for Congress.

Emerson Hyde, a 70-year-old farmer and former construction worker, said he is backing 36-year-old Will Lawrence over incumbent Republican Rep. Tom Barrett, who has not flatly opposed the Mason project. "He's been out to my house several times," Hyde said of Lawrence.

Dan Ewart, 43, another project opponent, was startled by that. Republicans have sought to cast Lawrence as a symbol of Democratic radicalism over past calls to end fossil fuels, defund the police and maintain open borders. "Lawrence has said a lot of crazy stuff," Ewart said. "I don't trust him." Hyde countered: "Right now, what's a bigger fight — a data center or socialism?"

Lawrence is trying to defy expectations in a classic swing district by tapping unease over the rapid development of artificial intelligence, an anxiety that crosses ideological lines. He has widened his focus to the entire AI industry, calling for a pause on development and a halt to data center construction.

"We need to put a stop to this, because right now the whole thing is out of control and alarm bells are going off," Lawrence said at a press conference.

The co-founder of the environmental group The Sunrise Movement does not fit the mold of candidates who normally win Michigan's evenly divided 7th District. The last Democrat to hold the seat is now Michigan's junior senator, Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and steadfast moderate. Lawrence once pleaded online for moderate Democrats to "hurry up and die."

Barrett, seeking a second term, accused Lawrence of using data centers to distract from his vulnerabilities. "He wants to show up and talk about data centers all day to distract from the vulnerability he has on abolishing the police and the border," Barrett said.

Lawrence rejected that, noting he has protested data centers since last fall, when a wave of projects was proposed across the district and state. "I'm talking about it because I give a damn about the people of this district," he said. "My whole career is about fighting back against corporate power, standing with regular working people who are getting screwed over."

He says he has moved on from many previous stances and online postings, including defunding the police and open borders — a suggestion he described as more of a "performance." He no longer identifies as a socialist, saying an "ideological label" breeds division, and let his Democratic Socialists of America membership lapse this summer. His campaign said he was not present at the founding of the group's Lansing chapter.

Some Republicans welcomed his primary win in August. "We think it's a comical mistake by the Democratic establishment to let somebody like him slip through," said Ty Bommarito, chair of the Michigan College Republicans and a senior at Michigan State University in Lawrence's hometown of East Lansing.

Others warned against underestimating him. "There's more energy in this Lawrence campaign than I've seen for a very, very long time," said Lingg Brewer, an 81-year-old former Democratic state lawmaker. "The excitement in this town I think equals that for Obama when he first ran."

Lawrence has campaigned heavily on Michigan State's campus and become a fixture at residents' meetings opposing data centers. Water-rich Michigan, whose Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer initially embraced the industry, has seen a wave of potential projects over the past year.

On the night of the Mason council meeting, Lawrence skipped a simultaneous township council meeting on the other side of the district to oppose a different project. He wore a red cap reading "No Data Centers in Mason," echoing the color of President Donald Trump's campaign hats; the standing-room-only meeting was full of people in identical caps.

His consistent opposition has won support from unexpected quarters in the town of 8,000. "I'm sure I disagree with a whole lot of his policies," said Zach Bartels, 48, a self-described conservative independent, "but right now I'm kind of a one-issue voter." Patrick Lind, 51, who regularly votes Republican, said he is unsure about this year. "The partisan issue is going to be a lot less important than the data center issue," he said.

Ashley Wickham, 38, who had never voted in a congressional primary before last month's open contest, cast her ballot for Lawrence. "I'm definitely going to support him, because he supported me," said Wickham, who bought a house in Mason just before the potential project was announced last November.

At the time, the city said there was no official proposed project but disclosed discussions to annex 405 neighboring acres where a company could build a $1 billion hyperscale facility. The community has been convulsed with opposition since.

Lawrence scolded council members, who sat stoically through dozens of speeches. "They say there's a significant chance that all human beings may be killed by what they're building — what they want to build in Mason," he said. "How hard is it to just listen to the residents and just say 'No'?"

He also criticized Barrett for accepting donations from technology firms and for voting last year for a version of Trump's tax-and-budget bill that would have barred states from regulating AI for 10 years; the provision was removed from the final bill.

A representative of Barrett's office read a statement from the congressman, who was in Washington and could not attend. It reiterated his view that local officials should decide on data centers rather than the federal government. In an interview, Barrett said he also favors limits on AI, and the 22-year Army veteran noted he has proposed legislation banning its use on the battlefield.

Outside the council chamber, Ewart said he has urged Barrett to oppose the project more forcefully and warned him about local disappointment.