US EditionFestus City Council incumbents lose reelection over data center vote ...
Challengers campaigned on transparency and opposition to the $6 billion project after residents raised environmental and secrecy concerns.
- On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Festus voters ousted four city council members who approved the $6 billion CRG Clayco data center project planned for 360 acres near Highway 67.
- Tensions escalated after the council approved the development 6-2 on March 30, sparking community outrage as residents accused officials of violating transparency laws and ignoring environmental concerns.
- Pro-Transparency challengers defeated incumbents including Ward 3's Bobby Benz, with new council member Dan Moore stating the fight "ignited a community-driven effort" to hold leaders accountable.
- Following the election, the Festus City Council canceled its Wednesday meeting due to a lack of quorum, while opponents continue gathering signatures for a recall petition against Mayor Sam Richards.
- Data center opposition is growing nationwide, with 48 projects totaling over $156 billion facing community pushback; the Festus vote reflects this broader trend from Wisconsin to Missouri.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Voters oust 4 council members who approved $6B data center: 'This is exactly how it should be done'
The Festus, Missouri, city council recently approved a plan to build a data center by a vote of six to two. Residents responded by making their voices heard at the polls, and all four incumbents faced defeat amid community discontent. According to Fox 2 News, election officials reported that voter turnout in Festus was higher than in other areas of Jefferson County. The contentious data center plan was reportedly a key factor motivating some vot…
Four incumbent city council members voted out after outrage over $6 billion data center in Missouri
The approval of a $6 billion data center in a Missouri city led voters to kick out four members of the city council who were running for re-election.The four incumbents lost by a wide margin to their challengers, and the council was unable to meet Wednesday evening because of a lack of quorum.'This data center fight has struck this community to the core and really, honestly ignited a community-driven effort here.' The council approved of the dat…
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