Michigan’s US Senate candidates weigh in on data centers and AI 

We asked Michigan’s US Senate candidates about data centers and AI. Here’s what they said—in their own words.

MICHIGAN—As massive data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) projects spread across Michigan, they’ve quickly become a political flashpoint—raising questions about energy use, utility rates, job promises, and how much say local communities should have.

When it comes to Michigan’s US Senate race, the debate isn’t whether data centers and AI should exist, but how aggressively they should be welcomed, regulated, or challenged.

To give voters a clearer sense of where the candidates stand, The ‘Gander asked every major US Senate candidate the same straightforward question and gave them one week to respond:

What’s your stance on data centers and AI policy?

There were no follow-up questions and no debate. The responses below are presented in the candidates’ own words, in the order in which they were received: 

Abdul El-Sayed:

Michigan is the best place in the world to build. And data centers can bring good union jobs if they’re done right. But right now, it feels like they’re being thrust into communities, often without transparency or clear benefits to local folks. And utility corporations like DTE are some of the least trustworthy corporations in our state—raising rates when they want to and failing to provide reliable electricity. That’s why we need rules of the road that bring well-paying union jobs to Michigan and protect communities. I will champion federal standards to make sure that the jobs that are promised are created, ensure community benefits agreements that uplift local communities, and make sure that the energy powering data centers is clean, fully paid for by the data center without rate hikes on us, and improves our electricity reliability. 

I am the only candidate in this race who has never taken a dime from DTE, Consumers Energy, or tech companies, so I’m not a pawn in their profit games. Instead, I’ve stood with unions demanding jobs for their workers and with the people demanding transparency and accountability. So as data center proposals pop up across the state, I’ll be a fair broker making sure projects both create good union jobs and protect and empower our communities.

Haley Stevens:

My career has been focused on innovation, and I know innovators need certainty to succeed. AI and data infrastructure require a clear, responsible policy framework to ensure these technologies are developed safely and securely. That means working to ensure that AI policy enables greater productivity and user experience while protecting taxpayers from increased costs, developing a strategy to strengthen our workforce and creating a system that allows all Michiganders to reap the benefits created by this technology.

As a senior member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I’ve worked to pass AI legislation since my first term in Congress, and helped advance the CHIPS and Science Act, strengthening domestic semiconductor R&D, workforce development, and Michigan’s role in rebuilding America’s high-tech supply chains.

Mallory McMorrow:

When it comes to data centers, Michigan can show the rest of the country how to do this the right way. The same way we revolutionized manufacturing to be safer, cleaner, and with union labor—we can do the same for data centers. The same way we balance being home to the auto industry and the Great Lakes, we won’t settle for leading the next generation of innovation or protecting our environment—we can, and will, do both.

Mike Rogers:

Republican candidate Mike Rogers did not respond to multiple requests for comment. 

The primary election for Michigan’s open US Senate seat is Aug. 4, 2026. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026. Click here to ensure you’re registered to vote ahead of Election Day. 

READ MORE: Who’s backing who in Michigan’s US Senate race?

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