From political prize to campaign liability: Data centers become a midterm battleground

From political prize to campaign liability: Data centers become a midterm battleground

by KAYLA GASKINS | The National News Desk

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Data centers powering everything from Google searches and streaming services to artificial intelligence are rapidly becoming a major issue on the campaign trail, as voter opposition to the massive facilities surges ahead of November’s midterm elections.

For years, Democratic and Republican leaders alike courted data centers, touting billions of dollars in investment, construction jobs and tax revenue. (TNND)

For years, Democratic and Republican leaders alike courted data centers, touting billions of dollars in investment, construction jobs and tax revenue. But the rapid AI buildout has brought growing concerns about electricity costs, water consumption, land use, noise and tax incentives.

A new Heatmap Pro poll illustrates how dramatically public sentiment has shifted. Seventy-five percent of Americans now say they would oppose a data center being built near where they live, up from 42% a year ago.

Politicians in both parties are responding — and in some cases changing positions they previously held.

In Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro announced two major data center projects last year. On Tuesday, Shapiro signed an executive order imposing new restrictions and requirements on data center development, saying he has heard residents’ concerns.

His Republican opponent, Stacy Garrity, is attacking Shapiro over his previous support for the industry.

A similar fight is unfolding in Wisconsin, where Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany, who previously spoke favorably about data center development, is now spending seven figures on advertising branding Democratic opponent David Crowley as “Data Center David Crowley.”

Crowley has responded by emphasizing local control, saying communities that do not want data centers should not be forced to accept them.

The issue is also playing prominently in Ohio’s Senate race. Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is seeking to return to the Senate, is attacking Republican Sen. Jon Husted over his role in bringing data centers to Ohio.

Other candidates are campaigning on proposals intended to address the backlash without stopping development altogether.

Florida Republican gubernatorial nominee Rep. Byron Donalds supports continued data center construction but says facilities should provide their own electricity and water and should not be built near residential communities.

The debate highlights a growing political tension surrounding America’s AI boom: Data centers provide the computing power necessary for the technology, but communities are increasingly questioning who should bear the costs of the infrastructure needed to support them.

President Trump, meanwhile, remains firmly supportive of data center development, arguing the facilities bring investment, jobs and tax revenue while providing computing capacity critical to competing with China in the global AI race.

The emerging campaign fight is therefore increasingly less about whether America should pursue artificial intelligence — and more about where its infrastructure should be built, who should pay for it and how much control local communities should have.