US Midterm Candidates Align on Restricting Datacenter Expansion
Governors and local municipalities increasingly favor strict regulations over new server farm developments.
1Broad Political Consensus
Data Center Watch analyzed 74 gubernatorial candidates across 36 states during the November 3 midterm elections. The findings reveal that 43 percent of candidates support outright bans or moratoriums on new projects, while 51 percent advocate for stricter regulations. Only 5 percent of the examined candidates maintained no public position on the issue.
2Bipartisan Support for Restrictions
Opposition to datacenter expansion crosses traditional party lines, appearing in both Democratic and Republican platforms. Candidates from both major parties backed restrictive measures in eight states, including Texas, Ohio, and Michigan. While 60 percent of Democrats supported bans, 30 percent of Republicans also aligned with these stricter development policies during their campaigns.
3Local Ballot Initiatives
Beyond gubernatorial races, voters directly influenced policy through local ballot measures. Data Centers on the Ballot reported that 43 out of 46 municipalities approved tighter restrictions on server farms. Only the City of Harwood in North Dakota rejected such measures, while two other locations had not yet finalized their official election results.
4Texas Regulatory Shifts
Texas, previously a hub for datacenter growth due to light-touch regulations, is seeing a significant political shift. Outgoing governor Greg Abbott previously ordered a pause on development to audit energy and water usage. With Democrat Gina Hinojosa winning the election, the state faces a new administration that may further reshape permitting processes.
5Public Sentiment Drivers
Public opposition is largely fueled by concerns over local infrastructure and environmental impact. A Gallup survey indicated that over 70 percent of Americans oppose having a datacenter built in their neighborhood. Citizens frequently cite rising household energy bills and excessive water consumption as primary reasons for their growing resistance to these facilities.
6Political Advertising Trends
Datacenters became a focal point in political advertising between July 27 and October 24. Advertisers spent nearly $12 million on Facebook and Instagram ads mentioning these facilities. Among candidates running during this period, 57 percent expressed opposition to datacenter projects, while only three percent publicly supported the expansion of such infrastructure.
7AI Lobbying Challenges
The Guardrails Alliance, a labor-backed group, scrutinized AI-related campaign spending. They labeled the super PAC network Leading the Future as a non-factor in the elections. The group alleged that the network avoided highly competitive races, suggesting that their pro-AI regulation stance is currently viewed as politically toxic by many campaign strategists.
8Future Regulatory Outlook
The widespread support for restrictions signals a challenging environment for developers seeking new sites. Governors hold significant power over state energy policy and permitting, meaning these election results will likely lead to more complex approval processes. Developers must now navigate a landscape where local public opinion heavily influences state-level legislative and regulatory agendas.
Original article: The Register — US Midterm Candidates Align on Restricting Datacenter Expansion