Story perspectives

Cook shifts 2026 Senate races to toss-ups, AI backlash grows

8/23/2026

Center

Rogers Backs Moratorium

The Cook Political Report reclassified several 2026 U.S. Senate races in states President Donald Trump won in 2024 as toss-ups.
Center coverage highlights that voter opposition to AI-powered data centers is becoming a measurable factor in those contests.
A poll by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found 61 % of Americans oppose data centers.
Republican Mike Rogers, after getting $150,000 from AI-linked donors, endorsed a moratorium on data centers.

Right

Rogers Courts Jews

The Cook Political Report reclassified several 2026 U.S. Senate races in states President Donald Trump won in 2024 as toss-ups.
Republican Mike Rogers courts Jewish voters, saying El-Sayed’s Israel remarks and Hasan Piker ties could shift to 100,000 votes, with Rabbi Asher Lopatin.
The congressman and FBI veteran Mike Rogers is running again after a 20,000-vote 2024 loss.
Rabbi Asher Lopatin called El-Sayed’s remarks “bloodthirsty” and urged support for Rogers.

History

Historical Context

In the November 8, 2016 presidential race, Wall Street poured a record $2 billion into influencing voters while Donald Trump’s campaign spent about $350 million, winning key swing states that had voted Democratic in 2012. That data-driven, high-spending model proved decisive and now informs 2026 Senate toss-up battles, where lawmakers debate AI-powered data-center expansions and seek new regulatory limits.

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Rogers Backs Moratorium

The Cook Political Report reclassified several 2026 U.S. Senate races in states President Donald Trump won in 2024 as toss-ups.
Center coverage highlights that voter opposition to AI-powered data centers is becoming a measurable factor in those contests.
A poll by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found 61 % of Americans oppose data centers.
Republican Mike Rogers, after getting $150,000 from AI-linked donors, endorsed a moratorium on data centers.

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