Montana Senate Candidates Clash Over AI and Data Centers

U.S. Senate candidates in Montana are divided over the regulation of artificial intelligence and the expansion of data centers. Independent candidate Seth Bodnar introduced a six-point Protect Montana pledge that emphasizes AI safety standards, worker protections, and granting local communities final authority over project approvals.

Democratic candidate Alani Bankhead called for a moratorium on large data centers, arguing that a total stop or pause is necessary to protect local power and water costs. Republican candidate Kurt Alme advocated for a combination of federal AI regulation and local decision-making to balance privacy with innovation.

The debate follows a social media post by President Donald Trump, who claimed that communities rejecting data centers would end up being backwards and poor. In response to the broader issue of infrastructure costs, Governor Greg Gianforte previously signed a Ratepayer Protection Pledge from the Trump administration to ensure data center expenses are not passed on to electrical customers. Local residents in Broadview and Butte have also begun organizing against proposed construction projects.