Gina Hinojosa bets anger over Flock cameras and data centers will make her America’s unlikeliest governor
In the Texas gubernatorial race, state legislator Gina Hinojosa is challenging incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, making AI data centers and Flock cameras central to her campaign. Hinojosa proposes a moratorium on new data centers to allow for the creation of regulations, citing voter concerns over electricity consumption and water safety. Governor Abbott has responded with an executive order initiating an audit of data centers and temporarily pausing construction.
Texas state legislator Gina Hinojosa is leveraging voter anger over AI data centers and Flock cameras in her gubernatorial bid against incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Hinojosa, who lags Abbott by five points in recent polling, argues that data centers represent a government beholden to "moneyed interests" rather than the people.
Voters across Texas, including in Republican-leaning areas, have expressed significant opposition to data center construction, primarily due to fears of increased electricity consumption leading to higher utility bills and compromised water safety. Hinojosa proposes a moratorium on new data centers to allow the legislature time to develop comprehensive regulations. Governor Abbott has reacted by signing an executive order mandating an audit of data centers by the state's Public Utility Commission and Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which includes a temporary pause on new construction.
The issue extends beyond Texas, with data centers becoming a flashpoint in other state races, such as in Florida and Wisconsin. Despite the widespread discontent and criticism from some Republicans, former President Donald Trump has defended data centers, touting them as sources of jobs and lower taxes, and claims to have signed an executive order requiring them to provide their own electricity. Hinojosa aims to capitalize on this populist sentiment, particularly among Trump voters disillusioned with what they perceive as a government out of touch with community needs.