Data Centers Emerge as Growing Political Issue as Voters, Candidates Grapple with Impact

Neither party has figured out how to run on the booming data center industry, as public opinion remains fluid and concerns over costs and resources come to the fore.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Data centers are quickly becoming a major political issue, with both Republican and Democratic candidates struggling to take clear positions as voters remain largely uninformed about the impacts of the booming industry. A new POLITICO poll reveals that while a bipartisan majority of Americans expect data centers to become a campaign issue in their area, public opinion is still largely unformed, with concerns over higher electricity bills, blackout risks, and taxpayer costs emerging as top drawbacks. The issue has already fueled intraparty rifts, with progressives and conservatives diverging on how to approach data center growth, while some governors in both parties race to regulate the industry.

Why it matters

Data centers are a complex issue that touches on a range of key political concerns, from infrastructure and development to environmental resources, jobs, and energy costs. As the industry continues to rapidly expand, the political battle lines are still being drawn, presenting both opportunities and risks for candidates looking to seize on this nascent issue. How the parties and individual candidates choose to position themselves on data centers could have significant electoral implications, particularly in swing states like Michigan where the issue is emerging as a key factor.

The details

The POLITICO poll found that while pluralities of voters in both parties said they support the construction of data centers, Republicans appear to have an early edge, with Trump supporters and MAGA Republicans particularly bullish on the industry. Democrats, meanwhile, have expressed concerns about the impact of data centers on water supply and electricity bills - issues that have already emerged as points of contention in recent elections. The issue has also created unusual crossover, with governors in both parties racing to regulate the industry as growth has often outpaced oversight.

  • In the past month, President Donald Trump wrote on social media that 'Data Centers are key' to ensuring U.S. dominance in AI.
  • Last year, Florida's conservative Republican Governor Ron DeSantis rolled out a 'bill of rights' to protect consumers and residents from data center impacts.
  • Earlier this month, Pennsylvania's moderate Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro proposed new safeguards for ratepayers and resources related to data centers.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president, who has been bullish on artificial intelligence and data center expansion, and has been combative against both blue and red states aiming to restrict that growth.

Ron DeSantis

The conservative Republican governor of Florida, who has become a vocal critic of data centers and rolled out consumer protection measures related to the industry.

Josh Shapiro

The moderate Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, who has proposed new safeguards for ratepayers and resources related to data centers.

Abdul El-Sayed

A progressive candidate in the Michigan Senate Democratic primary, who has emerged as a vocal critic of data centers and outlined 'terms of engagement' to prevent tech companies from passing energy costs on to ratepayers and protect water resources and jobs.

Mallory McMorrow

A Michigan state senator who is straddling the line between moderate and progressive in the Senate Democratic primary, taking a more measured tone on data centers while opposing projects that 'raise residential [electricity] rates, hurt our water, do not use union labor and don't actually create revenue for the state.'

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What they’re saying

“If you had asked me about data centers five months ago, I would have said: 'What's a data center?' Now it's everywhere. So that's a short amount of time to fully formulate what you think about it.”

— David Holt, Republican Oklahoma City Mayor (POLITICO)

“AI and data infrastructure require a clear, responsible policy framework to ensure these technologies are developed safely and securely. AI policy should boost productivity and user experience, while protecting taxpayers, strengthening the workforce, and safeguarding good-paying union jobs.”

— Haley Stevens, Democratic U.S. Representative (POLITICO)

“This is a political bomb waiting to go off. You've seen data centers go from a third-tier issue to a top-tier issue in politics in the span of a year. … And there are some people who are going to have success riding that wave politically.”

— Jared Leopold, Democratic strategist and co-founder of Evergreen Action (POLITICO)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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