CNN: A uniquely bipartisan backlash against data centers shakes up the midterms
More than $31 million has gone to ads attacking AI infrastructure as unions, tech firms and candidates clash over jobs, bills and regulation.
- Candidates from both parties are increasingly campaigning against data centers, with over $31 million spent on related political ads this year as they leverage voter concerns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
- Public sentiment has shifted over the last year driven by concerns over property rights, environmental impacts, and spiking electricity bills; a Pew Research survey released this month found 52% of Americans are more concerned than excited about AI.
- In Ohio, Brown's campaign spent more than $3.5 million on TV spots targeting Husted over data centers, while Michigan climate activist Will Lawrence won his Democratic primary after pledging to "stop AI data centers."
- Hochul signed a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers in July, the first of its kind nationally, aiming to "give us some breathing room" amid economic upheaval.
- While tech companies scramble to build over 2,000 data centers, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson warned against broad moratoria, whereas Donald Trump has positioned himself as an AI accelerationist supporting continued investment.
4 Articles
4 Articles
Data centers face backlash, but unions are fighting for the jobs they create
The growing backlash against data center construction in the U.S. has created a new political battle over jobs, The Wall Street Journal reports. Public opposition has largely focused on electricity costs, water consumption and noise, while some communities have also objected to tax breaks offered to attract data center investment. As politicians on both sides of the aisle slow approvals or increase oversight ahead of the 2026 midterm elections,…
In recent years, large U.S. technology companies have been building data centers on a large scale, which has sparked protests from local residents due to rising electricity costs, increased water consumption, and noise pollution. Politicians from both parties tend to suspend approvals or strengthen regulations, but recently several unions and construction industry associations have warned that boycotting data centers will jeopardize a large numb…
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