Data center opposition unites voters across party lines in 2026 elections

Data centers have become a major campaign issue in the 2026 US elections, with voters across the country opposing local buildouts. In Texas, both Democratic and Republican candidates are positioning themselves against unchecked development, proposing measures such as ending tax exemptions and requiring closed-loop water systems. Outside Texas, super PACs backed by AI companies and venture capitalists are spending tens of millions of dollars to influence races, highlighting the growing political and financial stakes of data center infrastructure.