Voters in Independence, Missouri, have moved to recall a city council member who supported extensive tax incentives for a data center project, marking one of the first such political setbacks linked to growing opposition against large-scale data facilities. On Tuesday, residents in Independence’s First District cast 1,118 votes in favor of recalling John Perkins, compared to 525 votes against, according to results posted by the Jackson County Board of Elections. Only a small number of ballots remained uncounted.

The recall effort focused on Perkins’ backing of a proposal to grant more than $6 billion in tax breaks to a data center development by Dutch company Nebius. The project, valued at $150 billion, involves construction on the outskirts of Independence and is expected by city officials to generate significant revenue for education and infrastructure, potentially easing the financial challenges faced by the city of approximately 121,000 residents.

Perkins defended the project, noting that the city council had spent years working toward developing the land and had negotiated protections intended to shield residents from potential utility rate increases. He previously dismissed the recall as unjustified, emphasizing that a single vote should not negate years of public service.

Opponents, led by recall organizer McKenna Cobb, criticized Perkins for not adequately engaging the community during the negotiations with Nebius. They expressed concern over the city's history of unsuccessful economic development schemes and viewed the support for the data center’s tax incentives as emblematic of broader issues concerning transparency and local impact.

The recall reflects a broader national trend of increasing public unease about data centers, which house vast arrays of computers requiring substantial electricity. This has prompted growing worries about rising energy costs, environmental harm, and disruptions to local communities. Similar concerns have influenced electoral outcomes elsewhere, such as in Georgia, where two Republican members of the Public Service Commission lost their seats amid debates over power expenses linked to data centers.

In Independence, proponents of the recall emphasized that voter participation in the local election demonstrated the importance of community voices in decisions affecting their neighborhoods. Cobb highlighted her efforts on election day, including door-to-door canvassing and providing rides to polling stations, as evidence of grassroots mobilization.

As larger elections approach later this year, observers expect that opposition to expansive data center projects may continue to play a significant role in shaping political contests across the country.