Rising data center backlash shakes up 2026 races

Rising data center backlash shakes up 2026 races

As public pushback to data centers boils over, politicians on both sides of the aisle are racing to distance themselves from the controversial facilities.

Key swing state candidates are scrambling to endorse stricter data center policies and accusing their opponents of being too cozy with the industry, as Americans become increasingly hostile to the rapid buildout of AI infrastructure.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), who once touted data center investments in the Keystone State, signed an order Tuesday implementing new requirements for developers to cover electricity costs and secure local approval for projects.

In Michigan, Republican Senate candidate former Rep. Mike Rogers announced Thursday that he is backing a one-year state moratorium on new data centers.

And former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) is going after his opponent, incumbent Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), over his record on data centers in the Buckeye State.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) recently issued an internal memo warning that “data centers are the anchor hanging around Husted’s neck.”

Aru Shiney-Ajay, executive director of the progressive Sunrise Movement, told The Hill that during her canvassing in Michigan and Wisconsin, she has talked to voters who “are flipping their party affiliation because of the importance of data centers.”

Tech companies are pushing to build scores of new centers to fuel the development of AI, which requires vast amounts of computing power.

But in the face of growing concerns about electricity costs, water usage and other environmental impacts, public opinion has soured.

Welcome to The Hill’s Technology newsletter , we’re Julia Shapero and Miranda Nazzaro — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley.

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Mike Rogers on push for data center pause: ‘Let’s get these questions answered’

Former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) is calling for a one-year moratorium on data center construction until Michiganders can “get their questions answered” about such projects. The Republican, who is running in Michigan’s closely watched Senate race, cited his conversations with voters on the campaign trail about the issue in an interview with NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich. “There is so much concern out there …

You’re all caught up. See you next week!