Could Democrats gain votes from ‘lifelong Republicans’ upset over data centers?
Data center developments are sparking political shifts among rural Texas Republicans, who are now considering supporting Democratic candidates due to concerns over environmental impact, water usage, and local control. This growing opposition has led to community activism, including a lawsuit filed in Granbury over alleged Open Meetings Act violations related to a data center project.
Rural Texans, traditionally Republican, are reportedly considering shifting their political allegiance to candidates who oppose data center developments in their communities. Scout Moseley, a 26-year-old from Cleburne in Johnson County, has started a Facebook page, "Joco Citizens Against Data Centers," expressing his willingness to support any candidate, including Democrats, who commits to opposing data centers, which he considers the "biggest issue." His sentiment reflects a broader trend across Texas and the U.S. where residents are vocalizing concerns about data centers' impact.
In Hood County, residents Cheryl Shadden and Craig Jackson have expressed similar intentions to "flip their votes" after an Amazon data center, Project Spectrum, was approved. Shadden, who organized an unsuccessful effort to incorporate Mitchell Bend to regulate a nearby cryptomining operation by Mara Digital Holdings, believes local and state officials are failing to protect citizens. Jackson, from Granbury, is among four residents who have filed a lawsuit against city officials, alleging Open Meetings Act violations and claiming details regarding Project Patriot, a data center power plant to be operated by Bilateral Energy, were concealed during an annexation and rezoning process. He supports a moratorium on data centers for impact studies.
Political science professors Jim Riddlesperger of TCU and Brandon Rottinghaus of the University of Houston observe that while mass party migration is unlikely, data centers could become a potent single issue for rural voters, influencing local elections. Concerns primarily revolve around significant electricity and water consumption, land use, and potential pollution, which are now taking precedence over traditional economic development arguments for some residents.