Sen. Warner visits Harrisonburg ahead of 2026 elections

Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic nominee for the upcoming November election, made a campaign stop in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he engaged with community members and city leaders. During his remarks, Warner touched on a variety of subjects, from federal policy changes impacting Virginians, such as Medicaid and SNAP, to concerns about election fairness. A significant portion of his discussion focused on the expansion of artificial intelligence and its implications. Warner specifically addressed the contentious issue of AI data centers, advocating for the implementation of "guardrails" to mitigate their impact on communities. He proposed requirements that would prevent data centers from passing on power and utility costs to consumers, ensure responsible water usage, and mandate appropriate setbacks and screening for their facilities. Furthermore, Warner expressed apprehension about the potential for widespread job displacement due to AI, estimating that unemployment for recent college graduates could rise significantly. He stressed the imperative to redesign workforce training programs for an AI-driven economy and called for the tech community's involvement and financial support in this endeavor. Following his visit to Harrisonburg, Senator Warner continued his campaign tour in Leesburg, Virginia.