PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Few issues have generated more public debate in Calvert County than proposed data center development.
The controversy intensified after residents learned county officials had entered into nondisclosure agreements with developers exploring potential projects in the county. Since then, questions about environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, transparency and growth have become central topics in the 2026 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) race.
The importance of the issue became evident during the primary election, when Board President Todd Ireland, Vice President Mark Cox and Commissioner Buddy Hance lost their bids for reelection amid ongoing controversy over data center proposals and the county’s handling of them. The three incumbents had also voted against a proposed data center moratorium earlier this year, a decision that became a focal point for many opponents of the projects. The results underscored the degree to which the debate has reshaped local politics and elevated data centers as a central issue in the race for the Board of County Commissioners.
A review of campaign platforms, public statements and interviews shows most candidates oppose the large-scale data center projects that sparked the controversy, though they differ on whether future proposals should be considered and how the county should approach economic development moving forward.
Commissioner At-Large
Patti Stueckler (R)
Republican candidate Patti Stueckler has taken one of the strongest positions against data center development.
On her campaign website, Stueckler states, “No data centers in Calvert. People before projects.” She argues that county leaders should prioritize residents over outside corporate interests and has made opposition to data centers a centerpiece of her campaign. Stueckler has also criticized the use of nondisclosure agreements and called for greater transparency, declaring on her website, “No NDAs. No Backroom Deals. Full Transparency.”
Jason Scaggs (R)
Republican candidate Jason Scaggs has also taken a firm public stance against the data center proposals currently under consideration in Calvert County.
“After months of research, I am a firm No on the Data Center,” Scaggs states on his campaign website.
In a Facebook post in early April, Scaggs stated, “There is an incredible amount of good that can be done with this data center money,” citing the potential in data center development for lowering property taxes as well as strengthening facets of other county systems.
However, Scaggs’ campaign website presents the clearest indication of his current position and does not include any exception.
Judy Pedersen (D)
Democratic candidate Judy Pedersen has consistently opposed data center development.
“Forgive me, but I remain skeptical and opposed to any data center in Calvert County,” Pedersen says on her campaign website.
Pedersen has argued that the controversy illustrates broader concerns about transparency in county government and has repeatedly aligned herself with residents and fellow candidates opposed to the projects.
Antoine S. White (D)
Democratic candidate Antoine White has pledged to halt the projects if elected.
“Given the evidence presented by environmental experts and planning and zoning officials, along with community input, one of my initial actions once I take office would be to put a stop to this project,” White wrote in a recent Facebook post.
White is also a signatory on a statement released by four candidates in the BOCC race demanding an immediate stoppage of current plans and further steps to ban hyperscale data centers.
District 1
Mike Hart (R)
Incumbent Commissioner Mike Hart’s position has evolved during the debate.
Hart participated in discussions involving developers before later becoming one of the board’s leading advocates for a moratorium on data center development. He has acknowledged mistakes in how the issue was handled.
“The delivery was horrible. The zoning was wrong. We made mistakes. But let’s fix it before anyone gets hurt,” Hart said in an interview with The BayNet.
Hart has supported a moratorium, an independent study of potential impacts and allowing residents to decide the issue through a referendum.
Ethan Cox (D)
Democratic candidate Ethan Cox has consistently raised staunch opposition through social media, arguing that data centers do not fit Calvert County’s future.
“I do not believe that data centers are inherently a part of the future of Calvert County,” Cox said in an interview with The BayNet earlier this year.
In the interview, Cox expressed concerns about environmental impacts and has advocated focusing on industries such as agriculture, tourism, charter fishing, wineries and outdoor recreation. He has also encouraged residents to demonstrate their opposition through protests, picketing and petitions.
Cox is also a signatory to the joint statement in opposition to data center development along with candidates Pedersen, White and Bennett.
District 2
Kenneth B. Lee (R)
Republican candidate Kenneth Lee has made opposition to data centers a major part of his campaign platform.
“STOP DATA CENTERS!” Lee states prominently on his website.
Lee argues that data center development would negatively affect taxpayers, waterways and the county’s rural character.
“Data centers will cost Calvert County residents outrageous amounts of money. They will destroy our beautiful waterways and ruin the watermen’s livelihoods,” Lee’s website says.
Lee has advocated for growth that protects farmland, natural resources and existing communities.
District 3
Catherine Grasso (R)
Incumbent Commissioner Catherine Grasso has emerged as one of the board’s most outspoken critics of data center development.
As criticism mounted over the county’s handling of the issue, Grasso rejected claims that she participated in negotiations with developers.
“I have not been in any negotiations with data centers. I have not had any sit-downs with AWS or Natelli talking about data centers. Period. End of story,” Grasso said at the June 2 Board of County Commissioners meeting. “The more I got into this data center debacle, you know how I feel. I’m not for them. I don’t think they’re conducive or appropriate for our community and what we want for our community and for our environment. End of story.”
Grasso has supported slowing the approval process and increasing public involvement before any future decisions are made.
Michael Bennett (D)
Democratic candidate Michael Bennett has voiced opposition to large-scale data center development as well as joining three fellow candidates in the joint statement demanding action.
“I’m personally not for data centers,” Bennett said while discussing the issue during a campaign interview with The BayNet.
Bennett supports a moratorium on approvals while county officials study potential impacts on infrastructure, nearby communities and future growth. He has also emphasized the importance of public input and transparency before major development decisions are made.
A Defining Issue
Despite differences in tone and approach, candidates across the ballot have largely aligned in opposition to the data center proposals.
The most significant differences among candidates concern whether future projects should ever be considered, what role voters should play in those decisions and how county officials can restore public trust after a controversy that has become one of the most consequential political debates in recent Calvert County history.
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