District 7 Candidates Address Data Center Policy
Adam Wilson and Kori Rodley are vying to fill the seat being vacated by Representative John Lively.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Data Centers
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Small business owner Adam Wilson and Springfield Councilor Kori Rodley are running for the House District 7 seat as residents grapple with ongoing debates over energy-intensive infrastructure. The candidates plan to focus on state-level tax and funding policy following recent local policy shifts.
Why it matters
The race comes as the region navigates the economic and environmental impacts of data centers after the City of Eugene rejected a project in September 2026. Governor Tina Kotek also requested a pause on specific data center permit processing in October 2026, forcing candidates to address these complex infrastructure pressures.
Wilson proposes that data center developers pay upfront taxes into a trust and ensure building convertibility for other uses. This follows the rejection of a data center proposal by the City of Eugene in September.
The players
Adam Wilson
He is a small business owner running for the House District 7 seat.
Kori Rodley
She serves as a Springfield Ward 3 city councilor and is a candidate for the House District 7 seat.
John Lively
He is the retiring State Representative for House District 7.
Tina Kotek
She is the Governor of Oregon who requested a pause on data center permit processing.
The details
Candidates for House District 7 are shaping their platforms around fiscal policy, influenced by voter opposition to a proposed six cent gas tax increase that failed in May. The transition in the district seat follows the retirement of State Representative John Lively.
Timeline
Measure 120 failed in May 2026.
The City of Eugene rejected a data center proposal in September 2026.
Governor Tina Kotek requested a pause on data center permits in October 2026.
The Tech Race
The debate over data center development follows the 2026 legislative and local pushback against rapid industrial expansion in the region. These candidates seek to balance technological growth with the infrastructure requirements established by recent state-level permit pauses.
Residents may see changes in how state-level industrial projects are taxed and managed if candidate proposals for building convertibility and trust funds are enacted. These policies aim to mitigate the infrastructure burdens associated with data center development.
The takeaway
The District 7 race highlights how local infrastructure disputes are increasingly shaping state-level legislative priorities. Voters are prioritizing fiscal accountability and long-term land-use planning in their selection of new representation.
Further reading
For more on infrastructure policy and industry trends, visit Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KMTR.
Live Poll
Should your local community prioritize new data center construction over housing or other development?
