Voters are fed up with data centers. Both parties are trying to cash in for midterms
Political campaigns across the US are increasingly targeting data centers in their advertising, citing concerns over electricity costs and environmental impact. Both Republicans and Democrats are using the issue to appeal to voters ahead of the midterms.
Why it matters
The bipartisan backlash against data centers reflects growing public anxiety regarding the infrastructure demands of the AI boom.
In campaign ads airing everywhere from Georgia to Iowa, Republicans and Democrats are confronting the same enemy: data centers powering the artificial intelligence boom.
An NPR analysis of political advertising data from the firm AdImpact found that since January, campaigns and outside groups have spent more than $45 million on ads mentioning data centers in this year's gubernatorial, House and Senate races.
The two major parties driving that spending are largely making the same argument: the sprawling facilities get too many tax breaks, drive up electricity bills and need reining in.
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