The GOP'S Data Center Panic

In recent months, state leaders and voters alike have turned against data centers, viewing them as resource hogs and potential job destroyers. A national poll revealed a 12-point shift against new data centers between March and July. This backlash is reshaping midterm elections across the country, with voters casting their ballots on concerns about an economy overwhelmed by AI and the impact of these centers on electricity bills and neighborhood opposition (NIMBY).

In Texas, Republican Ken Paxton proposed a ban on data centers using Chinese technology and held accountable for any A.I. bots that could "undermine children’s safety." In Michigan, GOP Senate nominee Mike Rogers called for a one-year moratorium on new data centers, while his opponent Abdul El-Sayed advocated for data centers to cover their own power costs and limit water consumption.

In Florida, Rep. Byron Donalds, the state's likely next governor, shifted his stance on data centers after promising to protect the state from them just weeks prior. President Donald Trump remains a supporter of data centers, seeing them as key to U.S. dominance in various industries. However, Trump's backing could make it harder for Republicans to convince voters that they are fighting against AI development.

Similarly, other candidates in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio have taken opposing stances on data centers, with some backing moratoriums and others emphasizing the need for a balanced approach. In Ohio, where a Senate race is particularly close, the backlash against data centers may be a deciding factor, as Democratic nominee Sherrod Brown points to Republican Governor John Husted's past advocacy as a factor in Ohio's growing number of data centers.