At the crack of dawn, the quiet hum of vintage machinery fills the air at Emerson Farms and Services. Emerson Hyde, alongside his wife Charlene, begins the day by harvesting grain corn, which will nourish their cattle. Their trusty dogs, Lily and Gigi, roam the fields, adding a touch of liveliness to the routine.
Hyde shares that the daily routine allows them to appreciate the tranquility of farm life. “We’re just the little guy. And we have a lot of fun right here,” he said. “This is where we want to spend the rest of our years having fun.”
However, the couple is concerned about potential disruptions from proposed transmission lines and a data center development nearby. Their farm is situated in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, a politically significant area covering several counties, including Ingham and Livingston.
U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, and his Democratic opponent, climate advocate William Lawrence, have both engaged with the Hydes, addressing their concerns. Barrett stresses personal interaction as a campaign strategy, stating, “It’s hard to hate somebody that close up, and it allows you to have a real conversation.”
In Mason, Barrett encounters residents worried about a proposed data center, reflecting a broader local movement against such developments. Barrett has introduced measures to limit governmental overreach in data center projects, while Lawrence advocates for a broader federal halt on these developments.
Lawrence recalls witnessing community unity against tech encroachment in public meetings, observing, “It was people across the political spectrum… coming together with complete unity, saying no to this invasion by big tech into our small towns.”
Both candidates are targeting key areas like Ingham County, where minimizing losses or maximizing gains could be critical. The Hydes, staunch Trump supporters, have a Lawrence sign on their lawn this election, indicating a shift based on candidate approachability and stance on data centers.
Charlene Hyde, typically a Democrat turned Republican voter, supports Lawrence for his transparency on data centers. Emerson Hyde sums up their political philosophy: “You pick the person. You don’t pick the party.”
Besides backing Lawrence, Emerson Hyde also supports Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Anthony Hudson and Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, reflecting a voter base that prioritizes individual candidates over party lines.
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