Watson slams Gary Click over data center study bill: 'He has gone completely establishment'

Eric Watson, the Republican primary challenger running against state Rep. Gary Click in Ohio’s 88th House District, posted a video to his Facebook page Sunday accusing Click of abandoning District 88 constituents by co-authoring a data center study commission bill instead of fighting for a moratorium on new data center development.

“My opponent, Representative Click, has managed to do it again,” Watson said in the video. “He has managed to not fight hard for his constituents on a moratorium for data centers.”

Watson directed his criticism at House Bill 646, which Click co-authored with Rep. Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) and 21 Republican co-sponsors. The legislation would create a 13-member Data Center Study Commission within the Ohio Department of Development to examine the impact of data centers on Ohio communities, including environmental effects, water usage, utility rates, farmland, and noise and light pollution — but tucked inside the legislation is a provision directing that commission to investigate whether opposition to those data centers is the product of “foreign propaganda.” The bill has been referred to the House Technology and Innovation Committee.

“What I mean by that is, is that this Data Center Study Commission is nothing more than a board of unelected bureaucrats that are being appointed,” Watson said. “And these unelected bureaucrats can be lobbyists also, by the way. This is not what the constituents of District 88 asked for.”

Under HB 646’s structure, Republican-controlled offices would control 9 of the commission’s 13 appointments. Three members would be named by the Governor, three by the House Speaker, and three by the Senate President — all positions currently held by Republicans. Minority leaders in each chamber would each appoint two members.

Watson pointed to the guest list for Click’s upcoming campaign kickoff as evidence of what he called a troubling alignment with Columbus power brokers. He singled out Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, who under HB 646 would be responsible for appointing 3 of the 13 commission members. He also cited Ohio House Majority Whip Nick Santucci, noting his influence over whether legislation advances, and Ohio State Treasurer Robert Sprague, whom Watson claimed is supportive of data centers and cryptocurrency. Sprague’s private sector career included work as a project lead at Ernst & Young before he formed his own consulting firm; his office could not be reached to a request for comment on Watson’s characterization.

“Well, it looks like my opponent has gone completely establishment,” Watson said. “Who would have thought?”

Watson framed his campaign as a direct challenge not just to Click but to the broader Republican establishment he says has captured the incumbent. “I’m up against not just my opponent, but the establishment all itself,” he said, urging District 88 voters in Seneca and Sandusky counties to “wake up.”

“If you guys want somebody that’s not establishment and that absolutely loves District 88, because my family roots are here, I’ve been here a long time, fight for me, Eric Watson,” he said.

Click’s office could not be reached for comment. HB 646 remains in committee. The Republican primary for the 88th House District is scheduled for May 5, with early in-person voting beginning April 7. Watson’s campaign website is ericwatsonforohio.com.