Data center boom puts Republicans in a bind before midterm elections

Key Points:

• The AI boom has made data center construction a major issue in the 2026 midterms, with 75% of data centers under construction and 80% in planning located in predominantly Republican states.
• President Trump strongly supports data centers, viewing them as vital for economic growth and national security, but many Republican voters and some GOP leaders are increasingly opposing new projects due to concerns about property values, noise, energy costs, and environmental impact.
• GOP officials like Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have taken steps to limit or regulate data center development, signaling a rift within the Republican Party on this issue ahead of tight races.
• Democratic and Republican candidates in several key states, including Ohio and Georgia, are largely aligned in calling for moratoriums or stricter controls on data centers, reflecting widespread local opposition despite Trump's backing.
• With most new data centers planned in states Trump won in 2024, Republican candidates face a critical choice between supporting the president’s pro-data center stance or aligning with voter opposition, potentially influencing the future of these projects.