WASHINGTON — The artificial intelligence industry emerged from Tuesday's midterm elections facing a new political landscape, as voters elected critics of data center expansion, approved local restrictions on development and handed control of Congress to Democrats who have promised closer oversight of the technology.

Data centers became a central campaign issue. An NBC exit poll found that 56% of voters said AI and data centers were a "crucial or major factor" in their vote for Congress. Campaigns and outside groups spent $173 million on ads about data centers during the general election, almost entirely negative, according to AdImpact.

Ballot measures and state action

The impact was felt immediately at the local level. More than 30 ballot measures to restrict data centers passed nationwide, according to Semafor.

Texas, a hub of AI infrastructure, saw a major shift. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has called for a moratorium on new data centers, an end to industry tax breaks and requirements........

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