The Short Version
If you live in Ephrata, Lancaster County, you vote in Pennsylvania’s 36th State Senate District, and AI data centers are a live issue in the November 3, 2026 race. Incumbent Senator James Malone is pushing legislation in Harrisburg that would let municipalities pause data center development, while his Republican opponent, Tom Jones, has voted against some data center oversight measures. The difference between them shows up in bills, votes, and public statements.
Where Malone and Jones Actually Stand on Data Centers
Malone is demanding the Pennsylvania Senate come back into session to vote on the bipartisan data center moratorium bills, SB 1345 and HB 2496, which would let municipalities pause development while they update their zoning laws. He stood with Lancaster County local officials calling for a pause and more local control, and praised Governor Shapiro’s executive action protecting communities from reckless data center development. His campaign platform calls for common-sense regulations giving municipalities authority over data centers.
Jones, as a state representative, supported bills to end tax breaks for data center developers and allow temporary pauses on applications, but voted against water-use reporting and renewable energy requirements, and says lawmakers need to be careful with data center regulation because of electricity bills, favoring compact nuclear power.
What This Means for Your Vote
For Ephrata voters who want their local officials to have real say over whether a data center gets built next door, James Malone is the right choice in the 36th District, because he is the candidate actively pushing the Senate to pass SB 1345 and HB 2496 and give municipalities that pause power. Register by October 19, 2026, and make a plan to vote on November 3.
