Republican voter breaks ranks over data centers

Patti Zirhut, a lifelong Republican who voted for Donald Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024, says she will not vote for Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for Florida governor.

“I will not vote for Byron Donalds. No way will I ever vote for him.”

Donalds backed by tech money and Trump

Donalds has Trump's endorsement, Republican party backing, and one hundred forty-eight million dollars in campaign funds, much of it from the tech industry.

Zirhut organizes against data centers

Zirhut is an organizer with No Data Center Hernando County, a group opposing controversial data center developments that Donalds has vocally supported.

Race tightens unexpectedly

Donalds was the front-runner in the Republican primary, but the race is now much closer than anticipated. Zirhut is considering voting for Donalds' Democratic opponent, former Rep. David Jolly.

Jolly courts disgruntled conservatives

David Jolly, a former Republican who left the party in 2018, is hoping to win over newly disgruntled conservatives. His stance on data centers may help him do it.

Opposition stronger among Republicans

Jolly says opposition to data centers is more intense among Republicans than Democrats because it reflects Big Tech's outsized influence in a world worried about surveillance and AI.

“is more intense among Republicans than it is among Democrats, because it is a reflection of the outsized influence and control of Big Tech and Big Data”

Stark differences on data centers

Jolly visited Virginia's Loudoun County, known as Data Center Alley, to see impacts. Donalds wants to make Florida the financial capital of the world and welcome tech developers.

Jolly promises moratorium, Donalds rejects bans

Jolly has promised a one-year moratorium on data center developments. Donalds said in August there ain't no bans coming, though he has since moderated his stance.

“There ain't no bans coming. But it sounds good on TV, or it sounds good on social media.”

Floridians overwhelmingly oppose data centers

Sixty-eight percent of Floridians say they oppose data center developments in their communities. Jolly says candidates should listen to voters, not tell them they are wrong.

Jolly outlines data center harms

Jolly cited air and noise pollution, public health effects from on-site power plants, water use concerns, and the risk that facilities built today may be functionally obsolete in ten years.

Donalds emphasizes local control

Donalds points out his running mate, state Sen. Bryan Ávila, sponsored a bill regulating data centers. Donalds says governors do not issue building permits; local governments do.

“When it comes to data centers and local control, local governments are going to have the final say. Governors don't issue building permits; local governments do.”

Community groups feel ignored by Donalds

Raul Alfonso, chair of Watchdogs of Fort Meade fighting a two point six billion dollar data center in Polk County, received a form letter from Donalds and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Republicans switching parties over data centers

Alfonso, who voted for Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024, switched to Republican this year to vote in the primary but is now considering voting for Jolly instead.

“There are a lot of people that were deep-red individuals who voted party line all the way, who are looking at flopping over to somebody who will actually take the concerns of the citizens more seriously.”

Money and demographics favor Donalds

Jolly has raised twenty-two million dollars to Donalds' one hundred forty-eight million. Florida has nearly two million more registered Republicans than Democrats, partly due to DeSantis' pandemic response.

Race within margin of error

A University of North Florida poll put Jolly just two points behind Donalds, within the two point eight percent margin of error. If Jolly wins, he would be Florida's first Democratic governor in twenty-eight years.

Data centers reflect broader voter anxieties

Jolly says data center opposition is a physical metaphor for anxieties about the future of work, wages, security, and privacy. Cost of living remains voters' top issue across Florida.

“It's almost a physical metaphor for anxieties around, 'What is the future of work? What's the future of wages? What does this mean for security and privacy for myself and for my kids?'”