Data centers emerge as hot issue in midterm elections
Data center construction has become a prominent issue in midterm election campaigns in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. Candidates and voters are responding to concerns about local control, energy use and rapid AI-related development, while Texas has imposed a moratorium on new data center permits and Pennsylvania has adopted stricter standards.
Data center development has emerged as a liability for several candidates in the midterm elections. In Ohio, Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown has criticized Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s support for new facilities, while Husted has argued that local officials and residents should decide whether projects proceed. Former President Donald Trump has urged Ohio to welcome data centers because of their economic potential.
Candidates in Pennsylvania and Texas have also shifted their positions amid public opposition. Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity now supports pausing new development, while Gov. Josh Shapiro has enacted stricter standards covering community approval and energy use. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott imposed a moratorium on new data center permits after previously promoting the state as a center for artificial intelligence, though Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa questioned whether the policy change would last. More than 30 jurisdictions, mostly in Ohio, are considering ballot measures to limit or ban data center construction.