Rogers Backs Data Center Pause, Courts Democrats

Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers announced support for a one-year moratorium on new data center construction in Michigan on Thursday and simultaneously launched a coalition aimed at courting disaffected Democratic voters, as the race for a pivotal U.S. Senate seat intensifies. The dual moves came on August 20, 2026, just weeks before the general election.

In a statement released Thursday, Rogers declared that Michigan needs "stronger guardrails to protect community control, prevent utility price hikes, protect our water, and stop pay-to-play schemes." His position represents a reversal from days prior, following reports that he and his wife hold financial interests in companies that could benefit from policies favorable to artificial intelligence development and data center infrastructure. According to financial disclosures, the couple holds between $1.7 million and $2.6 million in such companies, as well as up to $250,000 in a real estate trust where data centers comprise a significant portion of the portfolio. Rogers clarified that he does not support a full federal ban but argues a pause is necessary until a "fair, transparent approval process" is established.