From Datacenter Protester to Candidate: Steven Kung Challenges Incumbent in Monterey Park Election

Steven Kung, a grassroots organizer from Monterey Park, California, is making a bold political shift after leading a successful four-month campaign that made his city the first in the U.S. to ban datacenter construction. Once a vocal critic of tech infrastructure expansion, Kung mobilized residents through teach-ins and door-to-door canvassing, citing environmental concerns and democratic erosion linked to unchecked development. His victory in blocking the proposed datacenter—located just east of Los Angeles—sparked national attention and highlighted growing tensions between tech-driven urban growth and community sovereignty. Now, Kung is running against an incumbent city council member who supported the controversial project, turning his activism into a direct electoral challenge. His campaign underscores a broader trend: anti-datacenter movements are evolving beyond protests into local political power, with organizers like Kung leveraging public frustration over rapid tech expansion and lack of transparency. The stakes are high not only for Monterey Park but for communities nationwide facing similar developments. As datacenters proliferate across California and beyond, driven by AI demand and cloud computing, local leaders like Kung are emerging as key voices advocating for equitable planning and civic engagement. Their rise signals a new chapter in how communities resist top-down development decisions—and reclaim control over their neighborhoods. This election could be a bellwether for future grassroots resistance.