GOP Politicians Turn Against Data Centers as Nearly Half of Americans Strongly Oppose Local Projects
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 23
GOP Politicians Turn Against Data Centers as Nearly Half of Americans Strongly Oppose Local Projects
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 23
Summary
Republican messaging on data centers has swung sharply negative over the past six months, with candidates and incumbents increasingly attacking the facilities ahead of November races.
4,300 social media posts and newsletters analyzed by The Washington Post show the shift followed mounting voter backlash over power bills, environmental strain, subsidies and eminent-domain fights tied to data center expansion.
Jon Husted, once a booster of an Ohio Google project, introduced a bill this spring to shield Americans from data-center costs, while the NRSC warned the issue could cost him reelection.
The turn mirrors Democrats, who became mostly negative in 2025; a June-July Annenberg poll found nearly half of Americans strongly opposed any data-center construction in their area.
Some Republicans still defend projects on jobs or China-competition grounds, but governors in both parties, including Greg Abbott and JB Pritzker, have recently moved toward new restrictions.