Senator Jon Husted, a Republican from Ohio, defended President Donald Trump's energy and economic policies during an event at a steel mill in southwestern Ohio on August 21, 2026. Husted's remarks followed a memo from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) that highlighted concerns about data centers potentially impacting utility costs and jeopardizing his Senate seat.
Ohio hosts several significant data center projects, including a proposed 10-gigawatt campus in Pike County, which could exceed $500 billion in costs. Husted attributed rising electricity prices to Democratic policies, stating that closures of 23 power plants in Ohio under past administrations have contributed to the issue. He emphasized that both Democratic and Republican administrations have overseen the closure of aging power plants in recent years.
Husted was accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and other GOP candidates, including Vivek Ramaswamy, who is competing for the Ohio governorship against Democrat Amy Acton. Recent polling indicates Husted is narrowly trailing former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in his reelection bid, which is critical for Republicans aiming to maintain their Senate majority. The NRSC warned that if public perceptions of data centers are not addressed, opposition to them could grow beyond Ohio.
Husted also highlighted the Trump administration's investments in Ohio manufacturing, including a $500 million Department of Energy grant to Cleveland-Cliffs, which will support upgrades at their Middletown facility. Cleveland-Cliffs announced it would match the DOE funding, resulting in a total investment of $1 billion, which is expected to create over 1,500 construction jobs. Husted stated that such investments are vital for job security and economic stability in the region.