Dems denounce Donalds for data center dollars
Democratic candidates and an environmental advocate held a press conference outside Rep. Byron Donalds’ Cape Coral office to criticize his campaign contributions from companies linked to data centers. They warned that data centers could increase electricity costs, threaten water quality and damage Florida’s environment, while calling for a moratorium on hyperscale facilities.
Victor Arias, a Democratic candidate for Florida’s 19th Congressional District, and Phillip Carter, a Democratic candidate for the state House, joined Judy Freiberg of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida at a Cape Coral press conference opposing data center expansion. The speakers criticized Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds for accepting campaign contributions from energy, construction and technology interests associated with data center projects.
The group cited concerns about the facilities’ electricity demand, potential effects on utility bills, water consumption, pollution, land use and noise. Arias and Carter called for a moratorium, while David Jolly’s campaign said he would seek a moratorium on hyperscale data centers on his first day in office. Donalds’ office and campaign had not responded to requests for comment.