Data Center Super PAC Books $1.5 Million for Darline Graham in Tight South Carolina Senate Race
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 26
Data Center Super PAC Books $1.5 Million for Darline Graham in Tight South Carolina Senate Race
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 26
Summary
$1.5 million in ad reservations from the new super PAC Building the Future marks the data center industry's first known election spending, aimed at helping Republican Darline Graham win a full Senate term in South Carolina.
The push comes as data centers face rising voter backlash tied to anxiety over rapid AI expansion, with the industry trying to prove that candidates backing AI infrastructure can still win.
Graham, appointed after her brother Lindsey Graham died this summer, had been expected to hold a safe Republican seat but now faces a surprisingly competitive race against Democrat Annie Andrews.
Building the Future says the South Carolina contest is an opening move, with plans to expand its political influence into the 2028 cycle and beyond.