Trump Defends A.I. Data Centers as Issue Heats Up in Midterm Elections
Data center construction has become a major issue in competitive midterm election races, particularly in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Candidates and voters are divided over local control, energy use, and whether new facilities should be limited or banned.
Data center development is emerging as a key campaign issue ahead of the midterm elections, especially in Ohio’s closely watched Senate race between Republican incumbent Jon Husted and Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown. A leaked Republican strategy memo described data centers as a political liability for Husted, while President Donald Trump defended their economic and national-security benefits during a campaign appearance with Husted.
The report said voter concerns include the effects of data centers on local communities and electricity demand. An NBC poll found that 64% of voters would be less likely to support a candidate who backs building a data center in their community. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro tightened rules governing data center energy use and community approval after public backlash, while more than 30 jurisdictions—most of them in Ohio—were expected to vote on measures limiting or banning data center construction.