NewsL.A. TacoNovember 2, 2026Los Angeles County
San Gabriel Valley residents launch political campaigns against local data center proposals
Photo: L.A. Taco
Grassroots organizers and residents across the San Gabriel Valley are running for local office in response to how elected officials handled proposed data center projects. The political mobilization spans multiple cities and unincorporated communities, targeting school boards and city councils following disputes over zoning, environmental reviews, and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Read the full story at L.A. TacoWhy It Matters
Local elections and policy decisions across at least 16 San Gabriel Valley cities are being shaped by community opposition to data centers, directly impacting municipal leadership, zoning rules, and local development projects.
Key Facts
- Grassroots organizers and residents across the San Gabriel Valley are running for local political office in response to proposed data center developments.
- Data center proposals have been considered at three sites near the City of Industry: the Puente Hills Mall, the former Madrid Middle School site, and a Majestic Realty warehouse.
- In Monterey Park, newcomer Steven Kung is challenging incumbent councilmember Vinh T. Ngo following a now-withdrawn data center proposal.
- Alhambra voters will consider a ballot measure banning data centers, supplementing an existing ordinance prohibiting them within city borders.
- Leslie Garcia is running for West Covina city council after organizing 'No Data Center San Gabriel Valley.'
- Three school board candidates in Bassett and Rowland Heights—Falynn Love Thompson, Brandon Macias, and Sam Brown-Vasquez—arose from anti-data center organizing backgrounds.
- At least 16 cities across the San Gabriel Valley have contracts to use AI-powered Flock license plate readers.
- Monterey Park's data center applicant, HMC Stratcap, withdrew its application after its attorney threatened legal action against the city.
- A city-commissioned report estimated a proposed data center's power generation at 49.5 megawatts, just under the 50-megawatt threshold for California Energy Commission review, while a Center for Biological Diversity letter estimated demand at 66 megawatts.
- The Fair Political Practices Commission concluded in January that Monterey Park Councilmember Thomas Wong was disqualified from voting on the data center project due to financial conflicts of interest from his employment with Southern California Edison.
- L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis introduced a motion in response to data center concerns, and the county planning director issued interim guidance prohibiting large-scale data center developments in all zones.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationHMC Stratcap“Data center applicant firm that withdrew its application in Monterey Park”OrganizationMajestic Realty“Warehouse owner and site owner considered for data facilities”OrganizationSouthern California Edison“Electric utility company”PersonFalynn Love Thompson“Rowland Heights school board candidate and community organizer”OrganizationFair Political Practices Commission“State commission that concluded a councilmember was disqualified from votes due ”locationMonterey Park“City where a data center proposal was withdrawn”OrganizationCalifornia Energy Commission“State agency that reviews power generation facilities exceeding certain threshol”PersonSam Brown-Vasquez“Bassett Unified School Board candidate”OrganizationSouth Coast Air Quality Management District“Regional air quality regulatory agency”locationSan Gabriel Valley“Geographic region where political challengers are organizing”PersonAmy J. Wong“Candidate for Alhambra City Council District 1”PersonThomas Wong“Monterey Park councilmember and Southern California Edison public affairs manage”PersonRon Sahu“Candidate for Alhambra City Council District 1”OrganizationPuente Hills Mall“Site considered for a data facility”PersonLeslie Garcia“Air quality instrument specialist and West Covina city council candidate”locationWest Covina“City where an organizer is running for city council”OrganizationReal Estate Development Associates, LLC“Newport Beach-based real estate investment firm proposing a data center”OrganizationCenter for Biological Diversity“Environmental organization that submitted a comment letter regarding power deman”locationRowland Heights“Unincorporated community with school board candidates”OrganizationMadrid Middle School“Former school site considered for a data facility”locationAlhambra“City considering a ballot measure to ban data centers”PersonHilda Solis“Los Angeles County Supervisor”locationBassett“Unincorporated community with school board candidates”PersonBrandon Macias“Rowland Heights school board candidate and Occidental College student”locationCity of Industry“City near unincorporated communities considering data center sites”PersonVinh T. Ngo“Monterey Park incumbent councilmember”PersonSteven Kung“Founder of No Data Centers Monterey Park and candidate challenging incumbent Vin”