David Jolly Details Moratorium on Data Centers, Attacks Donalds on Issue
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly is advocating for a moratorium on AI data centers in Florida, citing environmental concerns regarding water, air, and sound pollution, as well as potential negative impacts on labor and housing values. He criticized Republican opponent Byron Donalds for supporting more data centers, calling him out of touch. Jolly highlighted the need for real protections before allowing further development.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly has reiterated his proposal for a moratorium on artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in Florida, using a social media video to criticize Republican opponent Representative Byron Donalds on the issue. Jolly asserted that Donalds is "out of touch" with Florida voters and has been unduly influenced by "special interests, including data centers," even labeling him "unfit" for governor over his stance.
Jolly presented three core reasons for his proposed moratorium. He highlighted a significant lack of adequate environmental protections in Florida, arguing that data centers are being developed too quickly without proper state regulations addressing water, air, and sound pollution. Additionally, Jolly expressed concerns about the economic impact, stating that while construction might offer temporary benefits, data centers do not provide long-term economic stability or jobs for communities and can negatively affect housing values.
Furthermore, Jolly emphasized the threat to the privacy and security of young people that he believes data center expansion represents. He also commended Governor Ron DeSantis for his cautious approach to the potential impacts of AI on children, echoing DeSantis's sentiment that a pause is necessary until the risks, such as AI's capacity to induce self-harm, are fully understood. Jolly, a former Republican, announced his campaign for the Democratic nomination in June 2025.