From TIME · Andrew R. Chow · · 1m 40s
AI Election Shifts
Data centers lost in 2026 midterms as voters reject AI industry influence.
In brief
Data centers lost in 2026 midterms as voters reject AI industry influence. Democrats won key races by opposing data centers, while AI super PACs failed to sway voters despite $100m spending. Originally reported by TIME.
AI Election Shifts
Voters identified AI and data centers as a crucial factor in their 2026 midterms vote.
“56% of voters said that ai and data centers were a "crucial or major factor" in their vote for congress”
Democrats' Data Center Strategy
Democrats spent over $100 million on ads portraying republicans as too cozy with big tech and data centers.
Data Center Bans Spread
Counties from edgewater, fla to bloomington, ill passed data center bans or moratoriums.
Recalled Mayors
Piqua, ohio and yukon, oklahoma mayors were recalled for supporting data center projects.
AI Super PACs Failed
Data center super pac candidates like darline graham lost to opponents who called them "data center darline".
“annie andrews nicknamed graham "data center darline" and called for a two-year moratorium on new projects”
Pro-Safety PACs Won
Pro-safety groups backed candidates like michigan's abdul el-sayed and colorado's manny rutinel who won races.
AI Regulation Stalled
Democrats need substantial republican support to pass federal ai regulation despite presidential veto.
Voter Sentiment Shift
Voters overwhelmingly support ai safety and security but oppose data centers and flock cameras.
“voters had their say tonight: they are overwhelmingly in support of ai safety and security, and very much against data centers and flock cameras”
Data Center Opposition Grew
Americans prefer living near prisons over ai data centers, with existential ai concerns rising.
Ohio Election Impact
Senator-elect sherrod brown won by five points after ads calling husted the face of data centers in ohio.
Kansas Governor Race
Cindy holscher led in governor's race after running ad for data center pause until kansas set guardrails.
“holscher ran an ad calling for a pause on data centers until kansas set guardrails to protect its communities, farms, jobs, and budgets”
Arizona Race Shift
Democrat amish shah led after pledging to stop data centers from being built.
“shah pledged to stop data centers from being built”
What to remember
Democrats won key races by opposing data centers, while AI super PACs failed to sway voters despite $100m spending.
