POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Did Jon Husted Push for Data Centers and Tax Incentives in Ohio as Sherrod Brown Claims?
The Claim A viral claim circulating in Ohio political discourse asserts that Senator Jon Husted “led the push to bring data centers to Ohio and gave billions of tax dollars to make it happen.” This...
The Claim
A viral claim circulating in Ohio political discourse asserts that Senator Jon Husted “led the push to bring data centers to Ohio and gave billions of tax dollars to make it happen.” This assertion is central to a recent ad by Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown, who is running against Husted in the 2026 U.S. Senate race. The ad features an unnamed man criticizing Google’s Lancaster data center, accusing Husted of being responsible for the project and its associated costs.
The claim gained traction as Ohio prepares to open a massive artificial intelligence data center, with public debate intensifying over the state’s use of tax incentives to attract the industry. Brown’s campaign has repeated similar allegations in other ads and social media posts, framing Husted as a key architect of the state’s data center boom. The ad implies that Husted not only supported but actively championed these projects, which have resulted in billions of dollars in tax breaks for tech companies.
The Details & Investigation
Sen. Jon Husted served in various roles in Ohio state government from 2001 to early 2025, including as lieutenant governor under Governor Mike DeWine. As lieutenant governor, he played a significant role in promoting data center expansion in the state. During his tenure, Ohio saw a surge in data center investments, with companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta receiving substantial tax exemptions. These incentives were approved through the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, which operates under the oversight of the state administration.
Husted was directly involved in several high-profile data center deals. For instance, in 2019, he publicly defended Google’s $600 million New Albany data center, which received a 15-year state sales-tax exemption estimated at $43.5 million. He also joined DeWine and JobsOhio in announcing Amazon Web Services’ $7.8 billion investment in a central Ohio data center in 2023, calling it a step toward making Ohio the “tech center of the Midwest.” Later that year, Husted and DeWine announced another major project with Aligned Data Centers, which received a 75% tax exemption over 15 years.
Experts confirm that while Husted was a vocal advocate for data center growth, the tax incentives themselves were approved by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, which functions as an arm of the administration. According to David Niven, a University of Cincinnati political science professor, it is common practice for governors and their lieutenants to claim credit for such deals. However, the authority’s decisions are based on recommendations from the Ohio Department of Development and the Tax Commissioner. Husted’s role was largely promotional and supportive, rather than direct decision-maker.
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Historically, Ohio’s data center tax exemption program began in 2011 with the passage of a law creating a sales- and use-tax exemption for eligible data center equipment. Under Governor John Kasich, the state offered 100% sales-tax exemptions to qualifying companies, resulting in billions in tax breaks for firms like Amazon, Meta, and Google. While Husted was not solely responsible for this policy, his position as lieutenant governor allowed him to influence and promote these initiatives.
Notably, Husted has since shifted his stance on data center tax incentives. In July 2026, he introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act, aiming to require large electricity users—including data centers—to cover the infrastructure costs they impose. This shift suggests a more nuanced view of the issue, though it does not negate his past advocacy for tax incentives during his time in office.
The Verdict
The claim that Jon Husted “led the push to bring data centers to Ohio and gave billions of tax dollars to make it happen” is broadly accurate but requires contextual clarification. Husted was a key advocate for data center expansion in Ohio during his tenure as lieutenant governor, and his support helped shape the state’s approach to attracting tech investments. He participated in high-profile announcements and publicly defended tax incentives for major projects, such as Google’s and Amazon’s data centers.
However, the actual approval of tax incentives came from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, which operated under the broader administration of Governor DeWine. While Husted had influence and visibility in these efforts, the responsibility for approving the tax breaks lies with the authority, not solely with him. Additionally, the scale of the tax incentives—approximately $2.5 billion from 2017 to 2024—was not entirely attributable to Husted’s actions alone, as these policies spanned multiple administrations.
Given the evidence, the claim is best categorized as MOSTLY TRUE. It accurately reflects Husted’s role as a prominent supporter of data center expansion and tax incentives in Ohio, but it lacks nuance regarding the broader administrative process and the contributions of other officials. The claim could be misleading if interpreted as implying sole responsibility or direct control over the tax incentives, which were part of a larger state policy framework.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
