Fact Check: Where do David Valadao and Randy Villegas stand on data centers?

The debate over data center construction has become a significant political issue in California's 22nd Congressional District, a key Central Valley battleground. Incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao and his Democratic challenger Randy Villegas have expressed contrasting views on the economic and environmental impacts of data centers within their district, which spans five counties from Kerman to Bakersfield.

Randy Villegas has taken a strong stance against unchecked data center development, proposing a minimum one-year moratorium on their construction in the Central Valley. He argues that such a pause would allow the region to "get this right" before irreversible consequences. Villegas highlighted concerns about potential increases in utility bills, threats to the water supply, exploitation of personal data, and disruption of local jobs. He also suggested that Congress should mandate five standards for data centers, including full payment for electricity and infrastructure costs, commitments to water conservation, and the use of local union labor, prioritizing "working people over the tech billionaires."

Rep. David Valadao, while acknowledging local concerns about high electric bills and water supply, emphasized the importance of data centers for both the economy and national security. He criticized Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries for "making a political issue" out of data center development, implying the need for such infrastructure. Valadao called for a "responsible approach that listens to local input, protects our water and our ratepayers — and puts people ahead of corporations," but did not explicitly state whether he supported a temporary moratorium. Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, criticizing data center protestors and stating that communities should welcome data centers to avoid being "backwards and poor."