Johnson’s data center push sets GOP showdown over South Dakota’s role in AI race

Congressman’s compromise comes as President Trump calls for artificial intelligence advancement; competitors in 2026 governor's race respond

Bringing data centers to South Dakota is fast becoming a political litmus test in the state’s 2026 Republican primary for governor.

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, the frontrunner in what’s shaping up to be a four-way race for the Governor’s Mansion, unveiled what he’s calling a “Data Centers Done Right” initiative this week — a campaign proposal aimed at positioning South Dakota as a player in the nation’s race for artificial intelligence dominance while addressing local concerns over energy, water use and tax fairness.

Planned hyperscale data center moving into South Dakota's largest city