Data centers become flashpoint in midterm politics

Opposition to A.I. data centers has become a national campaign issue as the midterm elections approach, with candidates in both parties distancing themselves from large facilities tied to the technology boom.

Gallup found about 70% of Americans, including 63% of Republicans, oppose building hyper-scale data centers in their area. More than 4,000 centers have been built across the country, and about 4,000 more are planned.

Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed a federal moratorium on new data centers in March, while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul enacted the first statewide moratorium in July. Governors in Florida and Texas also moved to restrict or pause new projects this year.

The facilities have drawn criticism over their size, limited permanent jobs and demand for electricity and water. Data Center Watch said at least 75 projects totaling roughly $130 billion were stopped in the first three months of 2026.

Read the full story at newyorker.com.