Data centers have rapidly transformed from an industrial footnote into a central battleground in the upcoming midterm elections. Opposition to the facilities has become a bipartisan phenomenon, with candidates on both sides of the aisle leveraging voter concerns about energy consumption and local zoning to gain political advantage.
Ohio Leads the Charge on Local Ballot Measures
Ohio stands out as the epicenter of this political shift. The state is responsible for more than half of the more than 30 local ballot measures related to data centers currently on the ballot. These measures range from local moratoriums on new construction to referendums regarding zoning changes, reflecting intense grassroots opposition.
The state Senate race between incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Jon Husted has become the primary national flashpoint. Brown has aggressively targeted Husted, branding him as the face of data center expansion in Ohio. Campaign ads blame Husted for welcoming these facilities, which opponents argue have driven up energy bills for residents.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee issued a memo in August warning that Brown’s attacks on data centers could tip the outcome of the race. They described the issue as a sleeper issue for the entire election cycle. Senate Democrats have rallied behind Brown, recently blocking a bill sponsored by Husted that was modeled after the White House’s ratepayer protection pledge. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer dismissed the bill as toothless.
Gubernatorial Races and Policy Pivots
The issue extends well beyond Ohio, influencing dozens of House races and several key gubernatorial contests. Research from Multistate indicates that at least 20 candidates in the 36 gubernatorial races have promised to enact some form of data center moratorium if elected.
In Texas, the political landscape has shifted dramatically in a short period. Incumbent Governor Greg Abbott, who previously welcomed data center development, has effectively placed a moratorium on new permits in less than a year. His opponent, Gina Hinojosa, argues that Abbott has not gone far enough in regulating the industry. Abbott’s pivot highlights how quickly the political cost of supporting these facilities has risen.
Wisconsin presents another tight race where the issue has been weaponized. Republican Tom Tiffany has attacked Democrat David Crowley with ads labeling him Data Center David. Both candidates claim to support restrictions on the industry, but the label has stuck in the public discourse. Similar attacks have resulted in at least five candidates receiving derogatory monikers from their opponents.
Broader Political Impact and Innovation
While polling suggests that pocketbook issues remain the top priority for voters, data centers have proven potent enough to swing tight races. The issue has seeped into toss-up Senate races in Michigan, Iowa, and Texas, complicating traditional party lines. Republicans have made a rare break from President Donald Trump on this specific front, joining Democrats in criticizing the industry.
Amidst the political turmoil, technological innovation continues to address some of the environmental concerns driving the opposition. A startup called Atoco is developing technology to pull water from the air using excess heat from data centers. The company uses metal organic frameworks, or MOFs, a material that won one of its founders the Nobel Prize last year. Previous prototypes required grid electricity to generate heat, but the new version relies solely on waste heat from industrial facilities, even in arid regions.
The Cook Political Report has identified numerous toss-up House races where candidates are running ads specifically focused on data centers. The widespread nature of the opposition suggests that the political fate of the industry will be largely determined by voters in these competitive districts. With the election approaching on November 3, the outcome in states like Ohio and Texas will likely define the regulatory environment for data centers for the next congressional term.
Source: Wired
