Growing Data Center Opposition Emerges as Political Issue Ahead of 2026 Midterms
Public opposition to data center construction is becoming a significant political issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Residents and officials are raising concerns about water supplies, electricity costs, tax incentives and impacts on farmland and communities, while several states have enacted or are considering development restrictions.
Opposition to data centers is gaining support across party lines as residents challenge projects at public meetings and protests. A survey from the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center found that 61% of U.S. adults opposed data center construction in their communities, up 12 percentage points in four months. Political science professor Matt Levendusky said elected officials are likely to face increasing pressure to respond.
The report highlighted data center-related political attacks in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Critics accused Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro of providing Amazon with tax credits without sufficient community input, while Ohio candidates called for projects to be located on abandoned industrial sites and required to provide their own energy and good-paying jobs. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has frozen new data center tax breaks after concerns that prior incentives could cost the state billions in potential sales tax revenue. The report said 18 states have enacted moratoriums or bans on data center construction, with seven others advancing restrictions.