Vineland, NJ — At the Albert V. Giampietro Memorial Park in Vineland on Saturday, Democratic congressional candidate Bayly Winder held a rally in front of over 120 people demanding accountability and transparency over the DataOne data center. 

“Residents have been telling me since day one that this data center will jack up their electric bills, drain local resources, and they can’t get a straight answer from anyone in charge. That’s what happens when elected leaders answer to corporations instead of the people they represent,” said Winder. “We’re here to change that. I’m calling for a national moratorium on data center development until we have real safeguards in place. Right now, things are moving too fast and the risks to our energy, environment, and quality of life are too high.” 

The rally took place five miles from the DataOne project site and near the residence of Northeast Precast CEO John Ruga, a key developer involved in the project. Ruga’s company is a shareholder in DataOne, and he is a major contributor to Congressman Jeff Van Drew’s campaigns. Ruga has publicly stated that Van Drew’s support was “critical” to the project, raising serious questions about potential conflicts of interest. 

“My campaign has made transparency and the fight against corruption a core priority. If Congressman Van Drew, his donors, and DataOne think they can impose this project on the community without input, they’re wrong, we’re going to hold them accountable,” Winder said. “This isn’t left versus right, it’s community versus corporate power. And I’m not backing down.” 

In addition to Mr. Winder, local environmental group Sustain SJ and youth-led environmental organization Climate Revolution Action Network were involved and had speakers at the rally. 

Saturday’s rally is the latest sign of serious momentum for a candidate the political establishment didn’t see coming. The top fundraiser in the primary by a big margin, Winder is building a grassroots coalition around an issue that’s only getting bigger across South Jersey and the nation.