From WIRED · David Gilbert · · 2m
Midterms Races to Watch
Silicon Valley funding, AI regulation, and election denial shape key 2024 races.
In brief
Silicon Valley funding, AI regulation, and election denial shape key 2024 races. Texas' gerrymandered district, Arizona's constitutional sheriff, and Georgia's data center debate are pivotal 2024 races where tech and election policies intersect. Originally reported by WIRED.
Texas' Gerrymandered 10th District
Former America PAC lawyer Chris Gober runs for Texas' newly gerrymandered 10th district, representing Musk's PAC and the Department of Government Efficiency.
Arizona's Constitutional Sheriff
Former Pinal County sheriff Mark Lamb won the GOP primary with Trump's endorsement, ties to paramilitary groups and election denial.
Kansas' DOGE Impact
Democratic nominee Lauren Reinhold, a former Social Security employee fired by DOGE, runs against incumbent in Kansas' 1st district.
Wisconsin's Election Denial Threat
Republican nominee Tom Tiffany has undermined democratic processes, including signing a Texas lawsuit to invalidate Biden's 2020 election results.
Georgia's Data Center Debate
Billionaire Rick Jackson supports Trump's agenda and opposes data center moratoriums, while Keisha Lance Bottoms focuses on healthcare and election integrity.
Michigan's Surveillance Race
Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers, who has backed a data center moratorium and received Musk-affiliated funding.
Ohio's Data Center Battle
Republican nominee Jon Husted, backed by Musk's America PAC, champions data centers but faces opposition from Democratic Sherrod Brown.
Texas Senate Race
James Talarico leads Ken Paxton in polls, with Paxton's election denial history and Musk's lawsuit over data centers.
Utah's AI Funding Race
Ben McAdams, backed by Think Big PAC, runs against Riley Owen in Utah's 1st district with data center project stakes.
Secretary of State Races
Nevada's secretary of state race pits election denier Jim Marchant against defender Cisco Aguilar, critical for 2028 elections.
Musk's Data Center Influence
SpaceX and Tesla plan a 100-million-square-foot semiconductor facility in Grimes County, Texas, with Musk's legal ties.
Election Denial in Action
True the Vote and private militias have been linked to Mark Lamb's election denial efforts in Arizona.
DOGE's Impact on Workers
Over 140 million dollars from Silicon Valley billionaires funded Leading the Future, which supports AI-friendly candidates.
Data Center Funding
Fairshake, a crypto-funded super PAC, plans to spend $30 million against Sherrod Brown in Ohio's Senate race.
Musk's America PAC
Elon Musk's America PAC has donated over $4 million to Michigan's Senate race, targeting Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
2028 Election Implications
Winners in key races could determine election integrity, data center policies, and the 2028 presidential election.
The one thing
Texas' gerrymandered district, Arizona's constitutional sheriff, and Georgia's data center debate are pivotal 2024 races where tech and election policies intersect.
