Overview of The Midterms' Unlikely Villain: Data Centers
This CNN Podcasts episode explores how data centers—once politically uncontroversial pieces of infrastructure—have become a surprising flashpoint in the 2026 midterm elections. As AI use has exploded, voters are increasingly associating data centers with higher electricity bills, local disruption, and broader fears about big tech and artificial intelligence. The episode examines how candidates are using anti–data center messaging in campaign ads, how AI companies are responding with their own political spending, and why the issue is scrambling traditional party lines.
Key Takeaways
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Data centers have suddenly become a major campaign issue.
- In July, 8% of all campaign ads mentioned data centers, up from 1% the year before.
- About $16 million was spent on broadcast TV ads about data centers in that month alone.
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Public opposition is strong and bipartisan.
- Polling cited in the episode found 50% to 70% of voters oppose building a data center in their area.
- Opposition cuts across party lines and is driven by both economic and cultural concerns.
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Rising electricity bills are the most immediate political trigger.
- Many voters see data centers as contributing to higher power costs.
- Economists and energy agencies have linked the data center boom to pressure on electricity rates.
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AI anxiety is deepening the backlash.
- Beyond utility costs, people worry these facilities are powering technologies that could displace jobs or become dangerous.
- That creates a “toxic” political sentiment that candidates are now exploiting.
How the Ads Are Changing Politics
Anti–Data Center Messaging
- The episode highlights the Ohio Senate race as a prime example.
- Democrat Sherrod Brown is attacking Republican John Husted for helping bring data centers to Ohio.
- The ads accuse Husted of:
- cutting favorable tax deals,
- fast-tracking approvals,
- and helping ordinary residents shoulder rising electricity bills.
- The messaging is highly visual and emotional, using imagery like servers, chips, and even a Pac-Man-style metaphor swallowing towns.
Big Tech’s Counteroffensive
- AI companies and their allies are spending heavily to shape the political environment.
- A major pro-AI group, Leading the Future, tied to industry figures like Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI president Greg Brockman, is spending tens of millions on ads.
- These ads often avoid mentioning data centers directly, instead framing support for candidates around:
- AI regulation,
- “fighting” for Trump,
- border security,
- taxes,
- and affordability.
Proxy Battles and Scrambled Alliances
- The episode also describes a New York House primary where competing AI-aligned groups poured millions into a race around a candidate involved in state AI legislation.
- This shows how AI money is not only influencing policy debates, but also reshaping candidate alliances and primary contests.
Why Trump Supports Data Centers
The episode contrasts the backlash with Donald Trump’s vocal support for data centers and AI expansion. His backing appears to be driven by several factors:
- Pro-Silicon Valley advisors influence his thinking.
- Big tech donors are important to Trump-aligned political efforts.
- As a real estate and construction-minded figure, Trump seems to like large-scale building projects.
- He also views AI infrastructure through a geopolitical lens, especially competition with China.
Main Point
Data centers have evolved from boring infrastructure into a politically volatile symbol of the AI era. They now sit at the intersection of:
- rising energy costs,
- distrust of big tech,
- labor and construction job interests,
- AI regulation,
- and national security concerns.
The result is an issue that’s helping drive campaign messaging, forcing candidates to pick sides, and revealing new tensions inside both parties.