Public anger over AI boom triggers GOP midterm worries
Public anger regarding the growth of AI and data centers has become a significant liability for Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections across multiple states. A data center moratorium bill passed the Maine state legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills, sparking backlash. Politicians from both parties are increasingly campaigning on concerns about data center development and AI surveillance.
The rapid expansion of AI-related technology and the massive data centers required to run it have emerged as a significant political liability for Republicans in the midterm elections. According to a study by the public affairs firm Absecon Group, over 700 candidates have mentioned data centers in their political ads, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressing concerns.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) acknowledged an "irrational response" among voters who view data centers negatively, despite their potential benefits. The issue is particularly heated in the Ohio Senate race, where Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown has spent over $430,000 on online ads discussing data centers. Similarly, Rob Sand, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Iowa, has invested heavily in social media ads on AI data centers, and Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) has made cracking down on data centers a central theme of his campaign, pledging to repeal tax breaks.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, proposing a pause on advanced AI development until federal safety rules are established. In Maine, a state bill for a data center moratorium passed the legislature but was vetoed by then-gubernatorial candidate Gov. Janet Mills, who was seeking a carve-out for a project in her home district of Jay. This veto led to significant unhappiness among Democrats and prompted Mills' opponents, Graham Platner and Troy Jackson, to campaign against unregulated data center construction. Incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has adopted a more cautious, project-by-project evaluation approach, acknowledging risks like water and electricity consumption.
The public backlash also extends to AI-powered surveillance networks, such as Flock Safety's cameras. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) initiated an investigation into Flock's network, demanding safeguards for American data. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) ordered the removal of automated license plate readers due to privacy concerns, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott halted state funding for Flock cameras. Political strategist Tom Egan observed that this public skepticism towards AI and data centers mirrors previous backlash against clean energy projects, with local officials sometimes losing elections for supporting such developments.