Jacksonville Democrats Target Donalds Over Data Centers
Duval County Democrats held a Jacksonville news conference criticizing Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds over his support for data center development and its potential effects on water quality, ecosystems and utility costs. The broader Florida debate includes calls for a statewide pause, while Nassau County commissioners have approved a 12-month moratorium on data center applications.
Jacksonville City Councilmember Jimmy Peluso, state House candidate Audrey Gibson and agriculture commissioner candidate Joey Atkins used a news conference near the St. Johns River to criticize Byron Donalds over data center development. They warned that facilities near river tributaries could threaten water quality and ecosystems, while also arguing that developers should bear infrastructure costs rather than shift higher utility rates to residents.
Donalds has said permitting decisions belong to local governments and that he supports data center construction with safeguards such as siting facilities away from homes and using water-conserving cooling systems. His Democratic opponent, former Congressman Jared Jolly, has called for a one-year statewide moratorium. Separately, Nassau County commissioners approved a 12-month moratorium in June on accepting, reviewing or approving data center-related applications, underscoring the local opposition driving the statewide political debate.