Two Democrats who won Bucks County-area state Senate races say concerns about data centers helped their campaigns.
Eileen Hartnett Albillar and Mark Pinsley described the issue’s importance in interviews first reported by The Center Square. Their comments describe their assessment of the election, rather than a finding that data centers determined the results.
Albillar defeated Republican incumbent Frank Farry in the 6th District, which covers part of Bucks County. Pinsley defeated Republican incumbent Jarrett Coleman in the 16th District, covering parts of Bucks and Lehigh counties, the outlet reported.
Albillar called for a pause in data center approvals while communities provide feedback. Pinsley also cited broader concerns about the cost of necessities.
Local zoning debate preceded the election
Doylestown Township supervisors authorized advertisement of proposed data center zoning rules in August, according to Central Bucks Now. That action advanced a proposal; it was not itself final adoption of the ordinance.
Officials said at the time that no developer had approached the township. Supervisors Chair Jennifer Herring described the effort as preventive.
New Britain Township also began a six-month process to address data centers in its zoning code, Central Bucks Now reported Aug. 7. Officials said no proposal was pending when they initiated that action.
The earlier municipal reports describe the status at those meetings. They do not establish whether a new application has arrived or an ordinance has since been adopted.
What changes in Harrisburg
Democrats won a 26-24 state Senate majority, according to The Center Square’s Nov. 4 report. Their incoming majority does not by itself enact Albillar’s proposed pause or change local zoning decisions.
