Saline — A new AI data center is coming to this small town near Ann Arbor, despite significant local pushback and a lawsuit against the township board citing broad opposition from the public.
“Stargate” is a partnership between Oracle and Related Digital, a company owned by real-estate billionaire Stephen Ross, a longtime donor to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
It’s a little odd, given that Benson, who is under investigation and being sued by the Justice Department, has a history of criticizing AI and the “threat” it poses to the security of our elections:
In a 2024 panel hosted by fellow Wellesley grad Hillary Clinton, Clinton praised her as being “at the forefront of how to protect our elections to make sure they have integrity.” Benson talked about the “threat” that AI poses to elections. She said “lies will be turbocharged through AI” to “create chaos, confusion and fear in voters minds” and that “it’s on all of us to protect each other from the threat of AI in regards to our elections.”
Secretary Clinton then suggested that she get help from “some company or some foundation” to help in the fight against “disinformation.” Turns out “help” was waiting at home.
Ryan Friedrichs, Benson’s husband, serves as vice president and spent several years registered as a lobbyist for Related after he resigned from Mayor Mike Duggan’s office amid a scandal involving deleted emails and an investigation by Attorney General Dana Nessel.
His lobby registration was terminated on May 21, 2025, just a week after Benson released her financial disclosure, which showed a $400,000 salary for Friedrichs. The reason for his lobbying termination, and what exactly his lobbying activities were, is not clear, given the inadequacy of the recently revamped Michigan Transparency Portal run by Benson.
In a LinkedIn post last week, Friedrichs praised Related CEO Jeff Blau and Governor Whitmer’s announcements about Stargate, citing “national partners who worked tirelessly with us this year.”
Earlier this year, Friedrichs praised the University of Michigan’s partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory on a $1.2 billion investment in a separate project in nearby Ypsilanti Township that will include an AI concentration program at U-M’s Ross School of Business.
Jocelyn Benson might say she has concerns about “misinformation” and “threats” due to AI, but as it turns out, an AI-connected billionaire funds her campaign and helps pay her bills.
You can bet that AI data centers, not battery factories, will be the new boondoggles in Benson administration.
Anna Hoffman is a hockey mom of three living in Ann Arbor. Follow her on X @shoesonplease.
