It’s safe to say that money talks, and some South Carolina residents aren’t particularly happy about who’s doing the talking. With the midterm elections just around the corner, a data-center industry-backed group has reportedly reserved a whopping $1.5 million in advertising to support state Sen. Darline Graham. The move has sparked backlash online, with some residents questioning just how much influence big businesses have over their elected officials.
As reported by The New York Times, the group behind the spending is Building the Future, a super PAC backed by interests in the data-center industry. The group has reserved around $1.5 million in advertising to help Graham secure a full term in the U.S. Senate. Importantly, the money is being spent independently to support her election campaign, rather than being handed directly to Graham. The development comes as she faces Democratic challenger Annie Andrews in the November 3 election.
Interestingly, the advertisements supporting Graham don’t actually mention data centers. Instead, they focus on her previous work helping blind South Carolina residents. The ads began airing on October 17, with Building the Future emerging as a major advertising supporter of Graham’s campaign. Meanwhile, the group had yet to publicly disclose its donors, leaving some unanswered questions about who’s funding the campaign.
Of course, the controversy comes as data centers face growing scrutiny across South Carolina, particularly over their potential impact on electricity bills, water supplies, and local communities. Graham has opposed a blanket ban on new data centers, while her Democratic opponent, Annie Andrews, has called for a two-year pause on new developments. With the November 3 election fast approaching, the debate raises an important question for voters: whose interests will come first?
South Carolina Residents Slam $1.5 Million Data Center Ad Campaign
Unsurprisingly, the news has sparked plenty of frustration among South Carolina Reddit users, with some questioning the influence of big businesses on politicians. One commenter bluntly declared, “Politicians are cheap af!” while another argued, “Super PACs enable special interest groups to control the message.” A third user was even less impressed, simply writing, “What a scumbag.”
Others took aim at Graham herself, with one commenter suggesting, “She’s just trying to fill her brother’s shoes. /s” Another jokingly replied, “She shouldn’t have any trouble getting those flip flops on her feet.” Meanwhile, some residents are already making their voices heard at the ballot box, with one user revealing, “I’m happy to have done my part yesterday with a vote for Andrews! Everyone get out and vote 🙌”
For South Carolina residents, the stakes go beyond political advertising, with concerns about rising electricity bills, water supplies, and the future of their communities. As Election Day approaches, voters will have their chance to decide who they trust to put their interests first. After all, money talks, but the proof will be in the pudding.
