Data Centers Become a Midterm Battleground

Across the 2026 midterm cycle, the construction of large-scale data centers—facilities that power the artificial-intelligence boom—has emerged as a focal point of voter concern. Campaign ads in Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania link the presence of these “server warehouses” to rising electricity bills, water use and broader skepticism toward Silicon Valley. Strategists describe the issue as a rapidly moving force reshaping House, Senate and gubernatorial races.

New York Times

Democratic candidates are using the backlash to criticize Republican incumbents. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa’s television spot accuses Gov. Greg Abbott of “selling you out” over data-center incentives. Ohio’s Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur has attacked her Republican challenger for supporting new facilities. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro—considered a potential 2028 presidential contender—signed an executive order limiting data-center construction and ran ads denouncing his opponent’s pro-center stance.

VoxNew York Times

Republicans are also responding. Michigan Senate hopeful Mike Rogers, a GOP candidate, publicly endorsed a moratorium on new data centers. National Republican operatives, fearing the issue could jeopardize Sen. Jon Husted’s reelection in Ohio, circulated a memo warning top AI firms that the controversy might cost the seat. These moves illustrate a rare bipartisan convergence on the topic, even as party leaders differ on how to balance economic competitiveness with local opposition.

Vox

• Anna Greenberg — veteran Democratic pollster, noted the movement’s grassroots nature.

New York Times

• Gina Hinojosa — Democratic candidate for Texas governor, opponent of data-center subsidies.

Vox

• Josh Shapiro — Pennsylvania governor, signed an order to curb data-center growth.

Vox

• Mike Rogers — Republican Senate candidate in Michigan, supports a construction moratorium.

Vox

Polling cited by Vox indicates that the share of Americans who “strongly oppose” a data center in their area has more than doubled within a single year. The same research shows a strong correlation between opposition to data centers and skepticism toward AI, a sentiment that cuts across party lines.

Vox

• “It’s very much a bottom up, organic movement,” — Anna Greenberg, a veteran Democratic pollster

New York Times