Democrats Leverage Data Center Opposition to Win Key Texas County and Boost Midterm Gains

Democratic operatives surprised by James Talarico’s victory across all 254 Texas counties noted a decisive win in Kaufman County, a traditionally Republican area hosting two large data center projects. A pro-Talarico super PAC, Lone Star Rising PAC, mailed voters within five miles of proposed or approved data centers, linking the projects to Republican nominee Ken Paxton. One mailer warned, “There is an existing or proposed data center near you in Kaufman County. Ken Paxton made it easier to build.”

Talarico carried Kaufman County by one percentage point, contributing to his 12-point statewide margin and helping Democrats secure statewide victories in Texas for the first time since 1994. CNN’s Voter Poll found about a quarter of voters said AI and data centers were “crucial” to their vote, while opposition to local data center construction was roughly three-to-one.

Michigan Rep-elect Will Lawrence, who flipped a Republican-held House seat, said the backlash was “overwhelming, unequivocal, bipartisan” and attributed part of his success to early opposition to data centers. President Donald Trump, who had supported data centers, later suggested rebranding AI as “super intelligence.”

Conservative AI policy group the Alliance for a Better Future called for Republicans to “recalibrate” ahead of 2028, noting the impact of “Super Intelligence” policy on the election. A GOP strategist said AI and data centers will likely become a top issue in the next presidential race.

Lawrence’s campaign featured a TV ad warning that “tech billionaires want to turn this whole field into a massive data center that will jack up your energy bills and ruin our home values.” Similar themes appeared in other races, with Democrats advocating tougher stances or moratoriums on data centers, while some Republicans highlighted economic benefits and national security concerns.

Data Center Coalition official Dan Diorio argued the industry must better demonstrate how data centers can address cost-of-living concerns, citing tax relief in Loudoun County, Virginia. In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown labeled GOP incumbent Jon Husted “the face of data centers,” prompting a National Republican Senatorial Committee memo describing data centers as an “anchor hanging around Husted’s neck.” Local ballot measures in at least ten Ohio cities banned large data center construction, with Granville’s measure receiving over 80 percent support.

In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican incumbent Darline Graham after branding her “Data Center Darline,” flipping a county that had voted for President Trump by 19 points. A data-center-aligned super PAC, Building the Future, spent $2.5 million supporting Graham, which opponents used to question her industry ties.

Other House races featured data center opposition, such as Democrat Mitchell Berman’s ad showing a clay pigeon labeled “Data Center” and Democrat Amish Shah’s pledge against data centers in Arizona’s 1st District. Republican Jay Feely argued for data centers as essential to the AI race against China.

In Texas, Gov-elect Gina Hinojosa called for a moratorium on data centers until legislative protections are enacted, saying the state can have a strong economy and industry without compromising residents. Attorney General Ken Paxton supported limited data-center development in open spaces, a stance highlighted in a pro-Talarico digital ad.

Political director Charlie Blaettler of the Guardrails Alliance noted the effectiveness of tying data-center opposition to broader concerns about affordability and corruption. Looking ahead, industry-aligned super PAC Leading the Future pledged a multi-cycle effort for 2028, with spokesperson Jesse Hunt stating the group will focus on a national regulatory framework for AI.