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Box Elder Commissioners Who Backed AI Data Center Face June 23 Primary
Two Box Elder County commissioners who voted May 4 to approve a 40,000 acre, multi-gigawatt AI data center are now on the June 23 Republican primary ballot.
Their races were set at the April convention, but the vote has become a central issue.
On May 4, the county commission approved the Stratos Project, a large scale data center and energy campus west of Tremonton.
The plan spans roughly 40,000 acres, with additional associated land included in the broader project area. It includes on site power generation that could reach up to 9 gigawatts at full buildout, with an initial phase near 3 gigawatts.
The meeting drew hundreds of residents and extended public comment.
As tensions rose, commissioners left the chamber and continued the meeting remotely before voting to approve the project.
Commissioners Boyd Bingham, Lee Perry, and Tyler Vincent voted in favor.
More than 1,500 formal protests have been filed with the Utah Division of Water Rights tied to the project’s water application, reflecting organized concern over long term water use.
In the race for Seat A, Commissioner Boyd Bingham, first elected in 2022, is seeking another term.
He has emphasized economic development and has defended the data center approval as a way to strengthen the county’s tax base.
He faces Vance Smith, a local businessman and former Southern Utah University trustee.
Smith’s campaign has drawn support from voters focused on growth, land use, and large scale industrial approvals.
In the race for Seat B, Commissioner Lee Perry, a former state legislator and retired Highway Patrol lieutenant, is also on the ballot.
He has supported the county’s partnership with the Military Installation Development Authority and backed the data center project.
He faces Nathan Tueller, a Perry City council member who has emphasized infrastructure planning and transparency in major developments.
A Constitution Party candidate, Erin Zilinski, will appear on the November general election ballot against the winner of the Republican primary.
The Republican primary is scheduled for June 23, 2026.
Utah uses a closed primary system for these races, meaning voters must be registered Republicans to participate.
The third commission seat, held by Tyler Vincent, is not up for election this year.
For voters in Box Elder County, the primary will determine which candidates move forward after a period of rapid development decisions and sustained public attention on land, water, and local governance.
