Companies connected to Project Jupiter, the massive artificial intelligence data center development in Doña Ana County, have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to New Mexico political candidates and committees, including accounts associated with some of the state’s top legislative leaders.
The contributions were detailed in a report published Wednesday by The Candle Publishing, which reviewed state campaign finance records involving companies and individuals connected to the project. The publication reported more than $272,000 in contributions to New Mexico politicians, with more than 80% going to Democrats.
Among the largest recipients identified were committees associated with Democratic House Speaker Javier Martínez and Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, as well as Rep. Meredith Dixon, vice chair of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
According to records cited by The Candle, Oracle America Inc. contributed $31,000 to The Speaker Fund, a political committee associated with Martínez, on Aug. 7. BorderPlex Digital Assets LLC previously gave $15,000 to the fund and $10,000 to Martínez’s campaign committee. Oracle also contributed $5,000 to the New Mexico House Democratic Campaign Committee.
The report also identified a $6,200 contribution from BorderPlex Digital Assets to a campaign committee associated with Wirth and a $5,000 contribution from Oracle America to Dixon’s campaign committee.
Oracle is the tenant of Project Jupiter, while BorderPlex Digital Assets is involved in development of the data center campus. Oracle has described the project as a major economic investment in southern New Mexico and said in July that it was expected to generate more than $4.7 billion in long-term economic impact through tax revenue, investment and additional commercial activity.
The project has also drawn scrutiny over its environmental footprint and the permitting process for a proposed microgrid that would provide power to the campus. Oracle has said an updated power plan using fuel cells would significantly reduce emissions compared with an earlier design and use minimal water for power generation.
Republican state Sen. Crystal Brantley criticized the political contributions in a social media post, writing that “Project Jupiter AI data center has given 80% of their political donations to DEMOCRATS including over $12,000 to Deb Haaland for Governor.”
The Candle separately reported that Oracle contributed $12,400 to committees supporting Haaland’s gubernatorial campaign. The broader contribution totals reported by the publication include donations to both Democratic and Republican candidates and committees.
The contributions come as state policymakers face questions about how New Mexico should regulate large data centers and address their potential effects on energy, water and the environment.
Oracle has maintained that Project Jupiter will provide substantial economic benefits while limiting its environmental impact. The company said in September that nearly 1,000 New Mexico residents were working on construction of the campus and that the project had generated nearly $100 million in state and local tax revenue.
The Candle disclosed that its editor, Bruce Wetherbee, is participating in an Environment Department proceeding involving the air quality permit for Project Jupiter’s proposed microgrid.
