Data centers are a growing political issue. Voters — and candidates — are still figuring them out.

Data Centers: The Next Frontier in Political Discourse

Data centers are rapidly emerging as a significant political battleground, but neither major party seems to have a coherent strategy for addressing the issue.

Political leaders from both sides are grappling with their stances, and insights from The POLITICO Poll shed light on the confusion: the American public remains largely unaware of data centers, their implications, and the associated political stakes.

Nonetheless, there’s a palpable sense of importance surrounding the topic. A bipartisan majority of Americans anticipate that data centers will become a focal point in local campaigns, with nearly half believing this will occur within the next five years.

“If you had asked me about data centers five months ago, I would have said: ‘What’s a data center?’” remarked Republican Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “Now it’s everywhere. That’s a short time to fully form an opinion.”

The survey outlines the early dynamics of a political contest that intertwines issues of artificial intelligence, technology, infrastructure, environmental concerns, job creation, and energy expenses.

Currently, Republicans appear to have a slight advantage in shaping public sentiment around data centers, but the amorphous nature of public opinion makes future shifts likely.

While neither party commands a strong majority of support for data center development, Republican voters are approximately 8 percentage points more favorable than their Democratic counterparts, according to a survey conducted by the independent London-based firm Public First.

Republican enthusiasm for data centers may be partly fueled by former President Donald Trump’s advocacy for artificial intelligence and data expansion, often pushing back against both blue and red states aiming to curb this growth. He recently stated on social media that “Data Centers are key” to maintaining U.S. leadership in AI.

This sentiment resonates strongly among Trump’s core supporters. The poll revealed that 55% of voters who back Trump in 2024 and identify as “MAGA Republicans” support constructing a new data center in their locality.

In contrast, support wanes significantly among Trump voters who don’t identify as MAGA Republicans (38%) and among supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris (36%).

Meanwhile, Democrats express apprehension regarding potential impacts on water resources and rising electricity costs—issues that have already surfaced in previous elections.

As public attitudes toward data centers continue to shift, candidates are starting to test the waters on how to incorporate this issue into their campaigns. Democrats previously found success in off-year elections by addressing community concerns about data centers. For instance, Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia secured significant victories by pledging to regulate data centers and manage their energy consumption. In Georgia, Democrats triumphed over two Republican incumbents by advocating for controls around data center expansion.

The issue has only intensified, sparking intraparty divisions. Progressives are divided over whether to impose a temporary ban on new construction, while some Republicans are advocating for more oversight of artificial intelligence, diverging from a president focused on reducing regulatory barriers.

Interestingly, both Republican and Democratic governors are racing to impose regulations on the burgeoning industry, as regulatory efforts often lag behind growth. Florida’s conservative Governor Ron DeSantis introduced a “bill of rights” to safeguard consumers last year, while moderate Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania recently proposed new safeguards for utility consumers.

The POLITICO Poll indicates that voters’ primary concerns regarding data centers revolve around household expenses. Among those surveyed, 29% expressed worries about increased electricity bills, 24% cited a heightened risk of blackouts, and 23% mentioned potential taxpayer expenses associated with these projects.

As data centers gain prominence, they are becoming a focal point in the contentious Michigan Senate primary, a critical test for Democrats in swing states as the 2028 elections approach. Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed noted that voters’ views are “very quickly evolving” and suggested that skepticism among Democratic voters presents an “opportunity to lead” on this issue.

El-Sayed has positioned himself as a vocal critic of data centers, proposing “terms of engagement” to prevent tech companies from passing energy costs onto consumers while also safeguarding water resources and jobs.

Conversely, State Senator Mallory McMorrow has adopted a more nuanced stance, opposing projects that would increase residential electricity rates, harm water resources, fail to utilize union labor, or not generate revenue for the state. However, she also acknowledges that “done right, data centers are a transformational opportunity.”

Centrist Democratic Representative Haley Stevens emphasized the need for a clear and responsible policy framework around AI and data infrastructure to ensure safe and secure technological development, while advocating for measures that protect taxpayers and enhance job security.

Democratic candidates who misalign with their constituents on data center issues risk electoral repercussions, as The POLITICO Poll indicates. While a mere 7% of Democrats would be less likely to support a candidate opposing data centers, a significant 20% would be less inclined to back one endorsing them.

Divisions over data centers are also surfacing within the GOP, with some members distancing themselves from Trump, signaling the rapidly changing political landscape. For instance, DeSantis has become an outspoken critic of data centers, while lawmakers in states experiencing a surge in data center construction are navigating a complex balance of supporting AI development while advocating for state-level regulation.

Party operatives suggest that as more data center projects are proposed and constructed, the issue could quickly ascend the list of voter priorities, although it has not yet reached a critical mass.

At present, the construction of data centers ranks last among concerns identified by survey respondents when asked to list their top three issues facing the U.S. Nevertheless, nearly 30% of those living within a mile of data centers believe this issue will influence the upcoming elections, markedly higher than the 17% of Americans overall who share this view.

“The only individuals particularly concerned are those directly impacted by data centers in their communities,” noted Michigan-based GOP strategist Jason Roe. “Currently, it’s not a broadly understood issue that people have fully formed opinions on.”

Still, a majority of voters expect the relevance of data centers to escalate, though opinions vary on the timeline. Only 25% of Americans do not believe data centers will ever factor into local elections.

“This is a political bomb waiting to detonate,” warned Democratic strategist and co-founder of the clean-energy group Evergreen Action, Jared Leopold. “Data centers have transitioned from a third-tier issue to a top-tier concern in politics within the span of a year. … Some individuals will undoubtedly find success capitalizing on this wave politically.”