Opinion

Data centers could be the sleeper issue of the 2026 midterm elections

A Gallup survey found 70% of Americans oppose new AI data center construction in their communities

By Noah Adamitis Fox News

Published September 28, 2026 5:00am EDT

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Data centers may be the sleeper issue of the midterm elections.

Fox News reported that Senate candidates are confronting growing voter anger over the electricity costs, water consumption, and sprawling developments associated with artificial intelligence. One recent Gallup survey found that 70 percent of Americans oppose the construction of new AI data centers in their own communities.

Politicians are paying attention. Some are calling for moratoriums. Others are targeting tax incentives or demanding that projects generate their own power. The political temptation is obvious: When voters are worried about higher utility bills and rapid changes in their communities, blaming large technology companies is easier than explaining a complicated energy and infrastructure problem.

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The concerns are real. They should not be dismissed by industry, and they cannot be ignored by elected officials. No family should be forced to subsidize the grid upgrades required by one of the world’s wealthiest companies. Communities deserve honest answers about water use, noise, land, electricity demand, tax incentives, and who will pay for new infrastructure.

But, legitimate concerns are quickly hardening into........

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