State candidates address data centers, water, education in Nacogdoches forum
Candidates for state House and Senate seats at a Nacogdoches forum discussed data centers, water usage, and education. Bobby Tillman voiced opposition to data centers, citing the need to protect the future, while Trent Ashby called for more regulation and safeguards for responsible development. Both candidates also stressed the importance of keeping water resources within East Texas.
Candidates running for state House and Senate seats participated in a forum hosted by the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce, addressing key issues ahead of the November election. State Senate District 3 candidates Trent Ashby and Bobby Tillman debated the future of data centers in Texas. Tillman voiced strong opposition, stating, "We got to say no. We got to protect the future, guys." Ashby, however, advocated for regulation, emphasizing the need for "guard rails and safeguards around responsible development of data centers and industrial development in general."
Both Senate candidates also focused on water protection, asserting that water resources should remain in East Texas. Ashby highlighted his record of preventing the export of East Texas surface water, while Tillman proposed a constitutional amendment to reclassify water as a life-sustaining resource. Candidates for the Texas House, Roxanne Lathan and Joanne Shofner, discussed public education, including private school vouchers, and property tax reform. The forum provided an opportunity for candidates to engage with voters on these significant state-level concerns.