Political campaigns across the United States have significantly increased advertising focused on data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure ahead of midterm elections. According to an analysis of advertising data by the firm AdImpact, campaigns and outside groups have spent more than $45 million since January on ads mentioning data centers in gubernatorial, House, and Senate races. Republican-backed ads and Democratic-backed ads have driven nearly equal spending, with over $22 million supporting Republican candidates and more than $21 million for Democratic candidates, though Democrats have aired nearly twice as many ads overall and spread messaging across more states.
Public polling data indicates substantial bipartisan concern about data centers. A June Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 77 percent of Americans expressed concern about data centers raising electricity costs, with two-thirds of Democrats and half of Republicans stating they would oppose a data center in their community. Both parties have identified the issue as politically advantageous. According to Michael Franz, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project, which tracks political advertising, data centers offer talking points that appeal to different party bases: Democrats emphasize environmental concerns while Republicans frame opposition as standing against large corporations indifferent to local communities.
Campaigns in multiple competitive states have centered messaging on energy costs and tax incentives. In Georgia’s gubernatorial race, which has generated $12.8 million in data center-related advertising, Democratic-backed ads have used data centers as evidence of Republican candidate misconduct. In Ohio’s Senate race, supporters of Democratic nominee Sherrod Brown have spent millions describing Republican Sen. Jon Husted as “the face of data centers,” citing tax breaks and rising electric bills. Husted previously championed data centers as lieutenant governor but has since introduced legislation to protect ratepayers from higher rates, characterizing this as consistent with holding companies accountable.
Governmental authority over data center regulation remains limited at the federal level. Darrell M. West, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, noted that the federal government does not play a direct role in permitting data center construction. A Republican Party operative told NPR that views within the party vary on data centers, though party polling suggests support for facilities contingent on companies paying for their own energy infrastructure.
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