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Montana Senate Candidates Explain Their Positions on AI and Data Center Policies

September 1, 2026/

Montana Senate candidates sharply differ over AI and data center policies ahead of the 2026 election.

Seth Bodnar, other candidates, and Gov. Greg Gianforte have brought attention to the regulation of AI development and data center construction. This debate highlights a structural tension between economic development ambitions and local community concerns about costs and control.

Bodnar unveiled a six-point “Protect Montana” pledge on August 31, calling for immediate regulatory guardrails and questioning who will bear rising electricity bills. Trump advocated for data center expansion, criticizing local opposition on Truth Social. Republican candidate Kurt Alme supports local decision-making paired with federal AI regulation, while Democrat Alani Bankhead demands a moratorium on large data centers, opposing Bodnar’s stance. Libertarian Kyle Austin challenged Trump’s social media remarks. Earlier in 2026, Gov. Gianforte signed a “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” aimed at shielding Montanans from increased data center costs.

The ongoing political debate indicates these issues could remain important during the 2026 Senate race.

 

Montana U.S. Senate candidates discuss how to manage data centers, AI
By Jonathon Ambarian, KPAX News


Click here to read the story.

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