Data Center Money: Kansas Race Gets Super PAC Boost

A new super PAC backed by technology executives is injecting millions of dollars into the Kansas race for governor to support a Republican challenger. Building the Future is spending more than $1.5 million to assist State Sen. Ty Masterson in his campaign against Democratic incumbent Laura Kelly, a person familiar with the spending said on Monday. This move marks a direct financial entry by pro-data center interests into a high-profile state election.

The group is an offshoot of Leading the Future, a super PAC supported by major artificial intelligence figures. In August, a nonprofit within the same network, Build American AI, announced a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign across Kansas, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The campaign aimed to promote policies that govern data center growth. Building the Future stated at that time it would back candidates who support responsible policies, preserve water resources, prevent electricity rate hikes, and create jobs for American workers.

The timing coincides with a parallel spending plan in South Carolina. The New York Times reported on Monday that Building the Future is also prepared to spend approximately $1.5 million on advertising to support GOP Sen. Darline Graham in the state's Senate race. In both states, data center development has become a central issue for voters as the physical infrastructure required for the AI boom expands.

Kansas presents a specific target for Republicans, who are attempting to flip the governor's office from Democratic control. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report lists the race as leaning Republican. The state also faces a competitive Senate contest between Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic pastor Adam Hamilton. Data centers have emerged as a point of contention, with opposition intensifying over the past several months.

Laura Kelly, the Democratic governor, criticized the funding in a statement on Monday. She described Masterson as a "stooge for Big Tech" who intends to place data centers in every cornfield. Kelly argued that Masterson would grant tax breaks to companies while everyday costs rise for residents. She said billionaire CEOs are spending millions to beat her because she refuses to follow their instructions, and she pledged to maintain guardrails on data centers.

Masterson has opposed moratoriums on data center construction. He voted for a 2025 law that provided sales tax exemptions for data center investments. Kelly voted for that same law but has since called for a statewide pause on new developments. In South Carolina, Graham framed the investments as necessary for national security while supporting local control. Her Democratic opponent, Annie Andrews, called for a moratorium and labeled Graham "Data Center Darline." Masterson did not immediately provide comment on the new super PAC support.