ICYMI: Democrats Hope Data Center Opposition Will Help Flip Assembly District Held by GOP Since 1970s
MADISON, Wis. — New reporting from WPR highlights how Wisconsinites in the 30th Assembly District are speaking out against Shannon Zimmerman’s professional ties to the AI industry and authored legislation that would give tax exemptions to data center developers for data center equipment and software. The article also details how Zimmerman’s Democratic opponent, Kevin Knoke, is committed to lowering costs for Wisconsinites and refusing tax giveaways to big corporations.
WPR: Democrats Hope Data Center Opposition Will Help Flip Assembly District Held by GOP Since 1970s
By: Rich Kremer | 9/25/2026
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Democrats trying to flip a Wisconsin Assembly seat long held by Republicans are hoping anti-data center sentiment will help them oust a GOP incumbent they call the “architect” of tax breaks helping drive a data center building boom in Wisconsin.
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Republican Assemblyman Shannon Zimmerman has held the 30th District for a decade. He says Democrats are trying to mislead voters, but Democratic challenger Kevin Knoke says Zimmerman is an AI executive with a conflict of interest.
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The sounds of speeches and the occasional chants of opposition to AI data center development and the state tax break for the industry echoed from the small Veterans Park in Downtown River Falls on a warm, sunny Wednesday evening. The 50 or so people were members of the western Wisconsin grassroots activism group called GROWW and they held signs that read “No Blank Checks For Big Tech” and “No Deals Behind Closed Doors.”
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The rally was aimed squarely at Zimmerman, R-River Falls, who authored legislation resulting in a tax exemption for the data center equipment and software. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has estimated the tax exemption would cut an estimated $1.6 billion from the state’s coffers.
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“AI data centers are not only extracting water, but they’re also extracting wealth from our communities that could be invested into the things that real people need in their lives,” GROWW co-executive Director Bill Hogseth told the crowd before encouraging them to support Zimmerman’s Democratic challenger, Knoke, who was standing in the audience.
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Wisconsin has seen a data center building boom since the tax breaks were enacted, which has given rise to a surge of opposition from communities around the state. In an interview with WPR, Knoke said the high cost of gas, groceries and housing are top of mind for voters he’s talked to, but they’re also concerned about data centers looking to build in the 30th District.
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“One thing I can tell you right away is, I am not interested in tax giveaways to corporations,” said Knoke. “They need to pay their fair share.”
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Knoke has been accusing Zimmerman of having a data center conflict of interest because the lawmaker’s job history shows he’s held two executive positions with AI companies that could benefit from the tax breaks. Knoke said he’s not proposing an outright data center ban, but the state has to be careful.
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As public opposition to data centers has grown, Republican and Democratic candidates have been accusing each other of cozying up to big tech. Whether that line of attack on Zimmerman will help Knoke flip the Assembly seat is an open question, as Democrats have been unable to win the 30th District since 1977.
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