Missouri Officials Ousted For Approving Massive Data Center
Missouri voters recalled a third Independence official over a controversial AI data center, deepening backlash to the project.
In Independence, Missouri, voters have ousted City Councilman John Perkins in a special election, driven by opposition to a massive AI data center project that the council endorsed earlier this year. Unofficial results indicate that approximately 68% of voters backed Perkins' removal, a decision driven by the backlash surrounding the proposed Nebius AI data center.
The multimillion-dollar development, approved in March, came with substantial tax incentives, sparking a political backlash. While supporters claimed the project would stimulate economic growth and investment, critics argued that residents' concerns were disregarded and the incentives were excessive. Perkins joins two other Independence officials—Bridget McCandless and Jared Fears—who were also recalled after voting in favor of the data center incentives. Now, three of the five council members who backed the development have lost their positions.
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