Ad Misled Voters on Data Center Pay

A political advertisement incorrectly linked a state official's husband to millions in project commissions.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Data Centers

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a monolithic, geometric data center facade against a stark background, evoking institutional oversight and political accountability. — Related Companies has confirmed that Ryan Friedrichs earned no commission from the Saline Township data center project, debunking claims made in a recent super PAC advertisement. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A super PAC ad supporting John James claimed that Ryan Friedrichs, husband of Jocelyn Benson, stood to earn tens of millions from a data center project. Representatives for Related Companies confirmed that Friedrichs received no commission from the $43 billion development.

Why it matters

The false claim highlights the tension surrounding the massive data center project in Saline Township and the role of political advertisements in gubernatorial races. Accurate information is critical as voters evaluate the involvement of public officials and their families in major infrastructure deals.

The Saline Township data center project is valued at $43 billion. Ryan Friedrichs earned a base salary of $370,000 as a Related Companies employee in 2025.

The players

Jocelyn Benson

Jocelyn Benson is the Secretary of State for Michigan and is married to Ryan Friedrichs.

Ryan Friedrichs

Ryan Friedrichs is an employee of Related Companies who previously worked on the Saline Township data center project.

John James

John James is a Republican gubernatorial candidate whose campaign is supported by the super PAC behind the advertisement.

Natalie Ravitz

Natalie Ravitz is a spokesperson for Related Companies who clarified the nature of Friedrichs' compensation.

The details

The 30-second advertisement alleged Friedrichs would profit from the project, though he solely earned a fixed salary for his role. Friedrichs ceased working on the Saline project in February 2026 and currently holds no responsibilities for Michigan-based developments.

Ryan Friedrichs earned $370,000 in salary during 2025.
Friedrichs terminated his Michigan lobbyist registration in May 2025.
Friedrichs represented Related Digital at a public meeting in Saline on November 10, 2025.
Work on the Saline data center project concluded for Friedrichs in February 2026.
Friedrichs transitioned to a new role and exited Michigan projects in March 2026.

The Tech Race

The proliferation of data center projects reflects a massive shift in industrial infrastructure investment toward high-capacity computing clusters. This expansion often triggers local pushback and intense scrutiny of the corporate entities involved in site development.

Residents should be aware that political advertisements may contain unverified financial claims regarding infrastructure projects. Verifying corporate employment contracts and public testimony can help taxpayers distinguish between fixed salaries and potential commission-based conflicts of interest.

The takeaway

Voters should scrutinize financial claims in campaign ads to ensure they are based on verified salary information rather than unsubstantiated estimates. Evaluating the specific nature of a professional's role and compensation is essential to identifying genuine conflicts of interest.