Story perspectives

AI Data Center Opposition Becomes 2026 Midterm Flashpoint

8/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Candidates nationwide make AI data center opposition central in 2026 midterms.
President Donald Trump praised data centers as creators and urged firms to pay utilities.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) runs ads calling Sen. Jon Husted the “face of data centers.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) signed an order requiring approval and utility cost coverage for data center permits.
Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) promised to end the sales-tax exemption for data centers.

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Story summary

Candidates nationwide make AI data center opposition central in 2026 midterms.
President Donald Trump praised data centers as creators and urged firms to pay utilities.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) runs ads calling Sen. Jon Husted the “face of data centers.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) signed an order requiring approval and utility cost coverage for data center permits.
Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) promised to end the sales-tax exemption for data centers.