Under the Dome | Data Centers | Vol. 107

As we all know, data centers have become a big issue in the 2026 election. This is for good reason. We risk destroying our communities at the behest of these companies. All for nothing, potentially, as in 10-20 years the function of data centers will likely be in space, due the SpaceX. So we may be destroying our communities for what will amount to empty warehouses. Yet, either way, we do not want to destroy communities. We do not want to take people’s property. We do not want to bulldoze family homes. To me, this is a very important issue right now.

As we look towards tomorrow’s primary runoff, we must understand where the candidates stand on this issue.

Despite some fake news to the contrary, Burt Jones has no stake in any data centers. This can’t be said of his opponent, Rick Jackson. Burt Jones has also used his position as Lt. Governor to try and strip data centers of their tax exemptions and force them to pay for their own power (HB 1192-2024, SB 410-2026).

Jackson does not have a record here. Burt Jones has been on our side though. Meanwhile, Rick Jackson is invested in a data center and has a financial incentive in them succeeding and growing. When it comes to data centers, Burt Jones is clearly the best choice for Governor.

In the race for Lt. Governor, there is quite an extreme contrast on the issue of data centers. Senator Greg Dolezal has been one of the leading people in Georgia for years against allowing data centers to destroy our communities and against taxpayers subsidizing them. His opponent, former state Senator John F. Kennedy (no relation to the 35th President of the United States or the U.S. Senator from Louisiana) has been a leader in allowing data centers to take over Georgia, voting to subsidize them and voting against a provision to ensure that they pay for their own power.

Let’s pull some receipts. In 2018, Kennedy supported HB 696 which first created the tax exemption for data centers, which has now ballooned to Georgians subsidizing data centers by $2-3 billion per year and this will continue growing. Greg Dolezal was not yet in the Senate in 2018. In 2022 when this issue came up again, as the special tax exemption was set to expire, Kennedy voted to renew the tax exemption via HB 1291. Meanwhile, Greg Dolezal voted NO, strongly opposing this measure. The record reflects that Dolezal has opposed forcing Georgia taxpayers to subsidize data centers. Meanwhile, Kennedy has continuously supported forcing Georgia taxpayers to subsidize data centers.

In 2025, Senator Chuck Hufstetler proposed a measure, SB 34, to require data centers to pay for their own power. Greg Dolezal strongly supported this measure to require data centers to pay for their own power, meanwhile Kennedy voted against requiring data centers to pay for their own power. This was seen in committee as Dolezal voted YES and Kennedy voted NO. Kennedy was the head of the leadership team that kept the bill off the floor at the behest of Georgia Power lobbyists. Because of this, Senator Chuck Hufstetler endorsed Greg Dolezal over Kennedy, citing Dolezal’s positions against data center tax exemptions and subsidized power as his key reasons.

So this is quite an extreme contrast if you ask me. I think Greg Dolezal is the clear choice.

We must demand better from our elected officials. They need to stop forcing citizens to subsidize big business because those businesses can afford a lobbyist and you can’t. That is my goal, to advocate for “we the people,” while so many advocate for special interests. These two top jobs, Governor and Lt. Governor, will be the single biggest determinant on how these policies look going forward. I think evidence suggests that Burt Jones is the best choice for Governor and Greg Dolezal is the best choice for Lt. Governor. The receipts back this up.

I just want to thank you all for the great work you do. Together, I do truly believe we can push Georgia in the right direction. We have accomplished a lot and it is only possible because of the great work of the grassroots. Thank you all!