Alaska, Florida and Wyoming primaries focus on data centers, crypto and tax policy
Primary voters in Alaska, Florida and Wyoming are deciding Senate and gubernatorial nominees, with key issues ranging from Alaska tax credits and oil permits to Florida data-center costs and Wyoming cryptocurrency regulation.
Voters in Alaska, Florida and Wyoming cast ballots Tuesday in primary contests that will shape the November midterm elections. In Alaska, the top-four finishers in a nonpartisan Senate primary will advance to a ranked-choice runoff. Incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan faces former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, who is running a centrist campaign that includes targeted tax credits for oil and gas refineries, faster permitting for energy projects and a proposal to eliminate federal income tax for Alaskans earning under $92,000 while raising taxes on millionaires and billionaires. > "Peltola has distanced herself from the national Democratic Party and the endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris," a report noted. Sullivan, a Marine veteran endorsed by President Donald Trump, also contends with a Republican challenger who shares his name and whom he alleges is a Democratic plant intended to confuse voters.
In Florida, primary voters are weighing gubernatorial and Senate races amid debate over data-center development. Candidates for governor, including Trump-backed Rep. Byron Donalds, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and investor James Fishback, argue that hyperscale facilities should cover their own infrastructure costs and should not shift utility expenses to ratepayers. Donalds cited a pledge similar to the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, while Collins called for a "Florida Strong" standard to protect families and seniors from subsidizing big-tech power demand. Fishback advocated banning data centers across all counties. The Senate primary features Sen. Ashley Moody seeking a full term after succeeding Marco Rubio, with a Democratic field that includes Alex Vindman and Angela Nixon.
Wyoming voters are selecting a successor to retiring Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis, known for championing cryptocurrency legislation. Rep. Harriet Hageman, endorsed by Trump, leads the Republican field and emphasizes limiting federal regulation and addressing resource issues rather than focusing on crypto. The Democratic candidate, state Rep. James Byrd, seeks to break a statewide Democratic drought dating back to 2006.