Data centers take center stage in Garrity’s latest ad

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(The Center Square) – The contentious debate over AI data centers has now hit the airwaves in Pennsylvania’s race for governor. 

State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, the Republican candidate for governor, released an ad on Friday criticizing Gov. Josh Shapiro over the matter. 

In the 30-second spot titled “Sold Us Out,” Garrity’s campaign accuses Shapiro of supporting data center development in Pennsylvania while receiving political contributions from out-of-state developers. 

“Shapiro sold us out,” a narrator says at the conclusion of the ad. 

The ad accuses Shapiro of receiving over $5 million in political contributions from out-of-state data center developers. The Center Square has not independently confirmed the claim.

That total, according to City & State PA, is a reference to contributions the governor has received from a “range of individuals with ties to tech and AI, though not all are data center developers.” 

Shapiro and Garrity have traded barbs over data center development in Pennsylvania, while both candidates have also shifted their messaging on it. 

Spotlight PA reported last month that both candidates were “initially enthusiastic” about data center development in the state, although now are both skeptical of the impact they are having on local communities and are calling for guardrails. 

In late May, Shapiro announced a plan he said would attract “responsible” data center development, while Garrity is calling for a “pause” on data center development. 

A Quinnipiac University poll conducted last month gave voters in Pennsylvania 11 topics to choose from and asked which, if any, were important to them when deciding who to vote for in the race for governor. AI data centers ranked as the 10th-highest issue among those polled, although 42% said it was an issue for them in the upcoming race. 

However, the issue is becoming more top-of-mind for Pennsylvanians than it was in polling conducted earlier this year. 

In that poll last month, 76% percent say they are following news about AI data centers either very closely (26%) or somewhat closely (50%), while 24% say they are following news about AI data centers not too closely.

Seventy-four percent of voters say they would oppose building an AI data center in their community, while 16% say they would support it, with 10% not offering an opinion.

In the February survey, 68% said they would oppose building an AI data center in their community, while 20% said they would support it and 12% offered no opinion, showing a several-point shift. 

"Nothing artificial about Pennsylvania voters' take on the advent of AI,” said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy. “Opposition grows as the inevitable new industry plants roots in their neighborhoods.”

Twenty-four percent approve of Shapiro’s handling of AI data centers in Pennsylvania, while 34% disapprove, and 42% did not offer an opinion.

That same polling showed Shapiro leading Garrity in the race for governor by 13 percentage points. 

A variety of polls and national ratings outlets have indicated that Shapiro is the frontrunner in the race. His campaign has also been active on the airwaves. 

On Friday, Shapiro’s campaign released an ad tying Garrity to President Donald Trump, calling the GOP nominee for governor “100% MAGA.” This appeared to be the first ad this cycle that Shapiro mentioned Garrity by name.

His two previous ads highlighted his administration’s support for universal free breakfast for K-12 public school students, plus investments made into apprenticeship programs.