Full Breakdown
Texas Data Center Debate Shapes 2026 Gubernatorial Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Candidates Clash Over Data Center Moratorium
Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa announced she will issue a moratorium on new data centers and any related approvals until Texas passes legislation that gives residents a say in how such facilities are sited. She made the pledge while criticizing Governor Greg Abbott for allowing data centers to enter the state with generous tax breaks and no hiring or resource-use requirements. Abbott, who earlier called Texas the “epicenter of AI development,” has placed a temporary moratorium on new data-center projects while state regulators audit grid-connection requests.
Background & Context
The rapid expansion of artificial-intelligence computing has driven a nationwide boom in large data-center construction. By 2025, 68 % of operational data centers were located in Republican-leaning states, and the share of facilities under construction and in planning rose to 75 % and 80 % respectively, according to Cleanview Research. Texas, home to the nation’s second-largest number of operational data centers behind Virginia (Pew Research Center), has become a focal point, with local communities voicing concerns about water use, electricity demand, property values, and job creation.
Data & Statistics
- Texas hosts more than 300 existing data centers and has at least 253 additional sites planned (KXAN).
- A Texas Politics Project poll found 58 % of voters oppose data-center construction in their communities.
- Cleanview Research reports 75 % of data centers under construction and 80 % of those in planning are in predominantly Republican states.
- Nationwide, campaign ads mentioning data centers have totaled $45 million in the current election cycle (AdImpact).
Official Statements & Responses
Abbott’s office, through spokesman Eduardo Leal, emphasized that the governor has directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to require data-center operators to fund their own infrastructure, supply their own power, recycle water, and keep residential electricity rates low. Leal framed these steps as protections for Texas families and pledged continued collaboration with the Legislature.
Criticism & Opposition
Hinojosa argued that the current tax-break regime offers no requirement for hiring Texans and that non-disclosure agreements keep community members out of the decision-making process. Data-center analyst Chris Millay noted that “red states have more of a history of accepting large, energy-intensive, infrastructure projects — even those that might have detrimental effects on communities,” highlighting the broader regional pattern that fuels local opposition.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When I am governor, I will issue a moratorium on any new data centers and any approvals for any data centers until we can pass laws to protect Texans, so Texans can have a seat at the table to decide if and how data centers come into our community,” — Gina Hinojosa
- “We have a situation where these data centers have come into Texas with these generous tax breaks, no requirement that they hire Texans … not even a guarantee for American or Texas jobs,” — Gina Hinojosa
- “Governor Abbott has been clear that data centers cannot come before Texas families. That is why he directed the [Public Utility Commission of Texas] and [Electric Reliability Council of Texas] to require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, bring their own power, reuse their own water, and lower residential electric bills,” — Eduardo Leal
- “Red states have more of a history of accepting large, energy intensive, infrastructure projects — even those that might have detrimental effects on communities,” — Chris Millay