Data centers became a major campaign theme in the midterm elections, according to a report from The Associated Press. Data center regulation was not on most ballots and was not among the top issues for most voters, the report said. Still, many candidates included tough positions on the facilities in their platforms, and the report said a tougher regulatory climate is expected to follow.
In Texas, Clayton Tucker, the first Democrat elected state agriculture commissioner since 1986, said his pledge to fight data center development was critical to his victory. He told the AP that ranchers worried about dwindling water supplies. According to AdImpact, campaigns spent more than $380 million on television ads mentioning data centers, with Democrats outspending Republicans on the topic by more than 3 to 1.
Data Center Watch, a project of AI security consultancy 10a Labs, said most winning candidates for Congress and governor it tracked supported stronger regulation or a moratorium. It said 32 of 34 winning governor candidates supported stronger regulation or restrictions, and 12 of the 34 supported bans or moratoriums. Wisconsin Gov.-elect David Crowley, a Democrat, said he is now discussing what he will propose once he takes office.