There’s a noticeable aversion among Americans towards data centers, but will this sentiment actually influence their votes in the upcoming midterm elections?
The general discontent over these projects seems to cross traditional party lines, leading various groups, including the White House and both Republicans and Democrats, to find themselves at odds.
The White House holds a belief that voters will prioritize “day-to-day” concerns, according to a source affiliated with the Trump administration. On the other hand, AI safety advocates and certain leftist organizations feel this election could act as a referendum against technology elites perceived as disconnected from the public.
Trump expressed his views on Truth Social, stating, “The only reason communities would oppose data centers is if they want to remain backwards and poor. Those who seek success and wealth, with lower taxes and plenty of jobs, should welcome Data Centers.” He also mentioned, “Many other areas are eager for them, and if we eliminate this opportunity, we have only ourselves to blame. China would be delighted with this anti-data center sentiment.”
This perspective contrasts sharply with the concerns many Americans have surrounding data centers, which include their high water consumption, the impact on electricity costs, and their placement near populated areas.
Liz Huston, an assistant press secretary at the White House, declared in a statement, “President Trump’s strong leadership is transforming data centers into catalysts for growth and opportunity for communities that desire them while reinforcing America’s position over China in the global AI race.”
She added that, “By requiring data centers to cover their own energy, water, and utility costs, the President has made sure that American taxpayers aren’t footing the bill for corporate profits. Trump will continue to utilize the data center boom to create jobs and economic benefits for working families and small businesses.”
A source close to the Trump administration conveyed, “Internally, we’re viewing the AI revolution—now referred to as ‘super intelligence’—as crucial to sustaining a continuous economic golden era.”
‘Singing A Similar Tune’
As voters gear up for the midterms, the economy is their primary concern, largely due to the affordability crisis exacerbated by conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. People are feeling the pinch as grocery and fuel prices skyrocket, alongside mortgage rates surpassing 7%.
“Voters will make their choices based on immediate life impacts; data centers aren’t typically on their day-to-day radar,” stated the source close to the administration.
As they head to the polls, voters may also reflect on whether they believe the current administration’s policies lead toward prosperity and security, or if the Democrats fail to provide clear and coherent answers to persistent grievances.
Polling indicates that while many voters are cautious, they might be amenable to data centers, provided certain community stipulations are met. Over 60% of voters, including swing and low-propensity Trump voters, support data centers if local requirements, like covering energy costs and not raising electricity rates, are fulfilled, according to an internal poll shared with Senate Republicans.
Heading into the midterms, Democrats currently hold a lead over Republicans, although opinions differ regarding which party is more trusted on data centers.
A September poll showed that 42% of voters trust Republicans more on AI, while 40% lean toward Democrats. Notably, less than 1% of those surveyed considered AI their primary concern ahead of the November elections.
Chris MacKenzie, the communications vice president at Americans for Responsible Innovation, pointed out, “This appears to be fundamentally about people feeling a loss of control over their future and community to Big Tech. For years, major tech firms have deployed non-disclosure agreements to obscure the details about data center developments from affected residents.”
There is a legitimate basis for this skepticism toward data centers; they’ve been associated with environmental incidents and stress on local water supplies. For instance, a New Jersey data center leaked approximately the equivalent of a small tanker truck’s worth of diesel into a creek, while a Georgia facility drew over 29 million gallons of water, consequently reducing water pressure in its host community.
Colin McGlynn, an AI Policy Advisor at Demand Progress, remarked, “When you have figures from opposite sides of the political spectrum, like Bernie Sanders and Greg Abbott, agreeing on this issue, it indicates a broader consensus against data centers. It’s no wonder that Americans across the political spectrum are unified in their opposition.”
In December 2025, Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders called for a halt on new data center constructions. Along with New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders proposed the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, seeking to pause all data center projects until AI firms can guarantee that their operations won’t negatively impact electricity prices, harm communities, or damage the environment.
Republican strategists suggest reframing the data center conversation, moving away from a purely national security angle.
Mark Bednar, a principal at Monument Advocacy and former communications head for Speaker Kevin McCarthy, stated, “While emphasizing America’s competition with China is valid for policy discussions, it hasn’t proven sufficient to resonate with voters.”
In September, Trump attributed public discontent for data centers to alleged Chinese influence without providing further clarification, while House Committee Chairman Jason Smith recently claimed that groups aligned with the Chinese Communist Party have funded American non-profits opposing data centers.
However, a social media analytics company, Graphika, found that opposition to data centers appears largely homegrown, with minimal evidence of substantial foreign intervention.
This disconnect in effectively presenting the case for data center expansion has allowed Democrats to gain an edge in a Fox News poll conducted in September, where respondents showed a 14-point preference for Democrats over Republicans on the issue. This advantage is notable among younger voters, Black people, Hispanics, and independents.
Interestingly, only 2% of rural respondents identified data centers as their most pressing concern, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll. This demographic was among a minority that favored Republicans by a marginal 4% on the data center topic.
Bednar commented, “As with any emerging technology—like the recent fracking boom—it’s crucial for policymakers to address job creation, economic benefits, and environmental stewardship. National security concerns must support the argument for data centers, but they shouldn’t be the main focus.”
Shifting Sands
On the campaign trail, some candidates are leveraging the growing populist sentiment against data centers, while others align with pro-AI super PACs with deep pockets.
Leading the Future, a super PAC supported by OpenAI President Greg Brockman and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, recently committed $2 million to bolster candidates like Rep. Julia Letlow of Louisiana and Sen. Cindy-Hyde-Smith of Mississippi.
The PAC’s Think Big PAC also initiated a significant ad campaign in support of several Democrats, including Rep. Emilia Sykes of Ohio and Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, following an impressive fundraising effort exceeding $140 million for the midterms.
Partisan dynamics surrounding data centers are especially evident in key Senate races in Ohio and Michigan. Former Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, aiming to defeat Republican Sen. Jon Husted this November, previously endorsed the construction of an Amazon facility and supported unions pushing for more data centers in Ohio. However, now he’s using current data center sentiments to criticize Husted.
Brown’s campaign has emphasized Husted’s previous endorsements, framing him as “the face of data centers,” with statements highlighting high utility costs attributed to Husted’s support for the tech initiatives.
Meanwhile, Husted is attempting to acknowledge the concerns of his constituents by sponsoring the Ratepayer Protection Act, which mandates that data center developers take responsibility for energy costs rather than transferring them to local residents. The Senate recently blocked the advancement of the measure, despite passing in the House with overwhelming support.
Husted articulated, “I’m following through on what constituents want: holding data centers accountable for their energy demands.”
The political atmosphere in Ohio is tense, especially as a recent Marist Poll revealed Husted trailing Brown by eight points.
In Michigan, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has also voiced support for a “pause” on new data center developments amidst his competition with Democratic contender Abdul El-Sayed. He suggested stronger oversight to ensure local control and prevent rising costs associated with public utilities.
El-Sayed has proposed that data centers should finance their own energy demands and allow community input in project approvals, alongside stringent regulations on job creation and water usage. In July, he advocated for a statewide halt on data centers until federal guidelines are established.
Throughout the ongoing gubernatorial races, the data center debate has risen to prominence as both parties strive to address voter concerns on the issue.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro made headlines in August by emphasizing that data center developers must meet strict environmental standards if they wish to operate in the state. His previous support for streamlined approval processes for such projects seems to have shifted significantly.
Shapiro’s current mandate seeks to ensure that data center developers fund local infrastructure and utility costs, alongside employing and training local workers, and protecting the environment.
His opponent, Republican Stacy Garrity, has scrutinized this policy reversal, framing it as inconsistent with her stance for responsible development, claiming that Shapiro failed to communicate the implications of data centers on utility rates and local agriculture.
She added, “If elected, I will make sure data centers adhere to strict guidelines ensuring they contribute positively to our communities.”
Meanwhile, in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has paused new data center projects amid similar public discontent. Abbott’s campaign continues to lead his Democratic rival, State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, by a narrow margin.
Political science professor Chris Borick commented on this evolving landscape, saying, “If you’re an incumbent grappling with these issues, you’re at a considerable risk—a clear sign that the dynamics of public sentiment have shifted.”
