Data Center Backlash Grows Nationwide, Impacts Midterm Races

Public opposition to data centers is widespread and growing, with a Gallup survey finding 70% of Americans do not want data centers built where they live.

An Embold Research poll published by Heatmap Pro shows 75% of Americans now oppose building AI data centers in their area, an increase from 42% a year prior. This opposition is uniform across demographics, with data centers 43 points underwater with Republicans, 65 points underwater with independents, and 75 points underwater with Democrats. President Donald Trump, however, remains supportive, stating on Wednesday that he would absolutely want an AI plant or data center in his community due to enormous jobs and taxes.

Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya called the backlash a powder keg that AI executives have failed miserably at addressing. The issue is impacting midterm elections, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) warning that anger over data centers could cost them a Senate seat in Ohio. In Ohio, Democratic Senate candidate Sherrod Brown has made his opposition to data centers central to his campaign against incumbent Sen. Jon Husted, highlighting Husted's support of tax breaks for developers.

Husted, in turn, introduced legislation last month requiring data center companies to pay for the power they use. A Fox News poll shows Brown at 53% and Husted at 45%. Governors like Texas' Greg Abbott and Pennsylvania's Josh Shapiro have shifted their stances, with Abbott signing a moratorium on new data centers in June and Shapiro ordering red tape.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is positioning herself as a leader in finding a business-friendly data center approach for Democrats. Industry responses include Meta's plan to invest $1 billion in towns where it builds data centers, having previously given Louisiana teachers a $50,000 bonus due to a Meta data center. Critics cite strain on local grids, water use, noise pollution, and community impact as main concerns.