'I guess I'm backwards and poor': Tim Burchett opposes Trump on data centers
U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett and Democratic candidate Michaela Barnett hold differing stances on data center development in Tennessee, making it a key issue in the upcoming midterm elections. Burchett opposes the centers, contrasting with former President Donald Trump's supportive view, while Barnett advocates for strict regulation to protect local resources. Community backlash against data centers is growing across the state, particularly in East Tennessee.
The construction of large data centers has emerged as a significant campaign issue in Tennessee, particularly in East Tennessee, ahead of the midterm elections, fueled by increasing community backlash. U.S. Representative Tim Burchett, whose district encompasses Knox County and several others, has publicly voiced opposition to these developments. This stance puts him at odds with former President Donald Trump, who recently stated that communities not wanting data centers would end up "backwards and poor," to which Burchett quipped, "I guess I'm backwards and poor.
Democratic congressional candidate Michaela Barnett, running against Burchett, also advocates for robust regulation of AI data centers. Her campaign platform emphasizes protecting local resources such as electricity and water. Barnett proposes requiring AI data center companies to pay a fair share for energy and water to stabilize utility costs for residents and plans to incentivize worker investments to counter potential job displacement by AI technologies.