# Data Centers Spark Bipartisan Backlash

> Data centers now face bipartisan opposition as voters reject AI-driven infrastructure projects.
- Title: Data Centers Spark Bipartisan Backlash · Mother Jones
- Summary: Data centers now face bipartisan opposition as voters reject AI-driven infrastructure projects. Data centers have become the single most toxic issue in…
- Keywords: data centers, ai boom, texas, greg abbott, flock cameras, municipal utilities, water pollution, utility bills, nuclear reactors, federal regulations, Data, Centers
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/10/stress-test-video-podcast-episode-2-data-centers-ai-backlash
- Author: Mother Jones
- Published: 2026-10-07T10:53:51+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: data centers, ai boom, texas, greg abbott, flock cameras, municipal utilities, water pollution, utility bills, nuclear reactors, federal regulations
## Bipartisan revolt against data centers
America is hopelessly divided along party lines, with Democrats and Republicans showing nearly identical dislike for each other.
## Data centers as oligarchic status symbols
Data centers have replaced megayachts as the preferred theater of oligarchic status signaling, according to national correspondent Tim Murphy.
## AI boom fuels data center growth
The AI boom has unleashed a power grab by tech billionaires, with data centers now measuring in multiples of Manhattan.
## Texas data center backlash
Texas rural communities face strained water supplies, pollution, and rising utility bills from data centers built in their backyards.
## Greg Abbott's policy reversal
Republican Governor Greg Abbott announced steps to implement a moratorium on data centers after facing community backlash.
## Data center scale shift
Data centers used to be half the size of an Amazon warehouse; now they measure in multiples of Manhattan.
## Flock cameras and surveillance concerns
Flock cameras, AI-powered surveillance systems, have become a symbol of distrust for many Americans.
## Data center opposition grows
Opposition to data centers has become a bipartisan issue with a 3-to-1 voter opposition among Americans.
## Texas as data center battleground
Texas has emerged as a tipping point state for midterms with data centers driving political realignments.
## Data center impact on voters
Voters in rural areas report rising utility costs, pollution, and water shortages from nearby data centers.
## Data center opposition coalition
Data center opponents form a coalition across political lines, with no clear unified agenda for action.
## Data center policy shifts
Congressmen like Greg Casar are now prioritizing AI policy over previous concerns like immigration and redistricting.
## Data center opposition in Ohio
Ohio's Marcy Kaptur won by 2,300 votes after running against Derek Merrin on data center opposition.
## Data center opposition in Montana
Montana's Seth Bodnar destroyed a Flock camera to protest government surveillance.
## Data center opposition in Texas
Texas has seen a surge in data center opposition with Greg Abbott reversing his stance on data centers.
## Data center opposition in the midterms
Data centers have become the single most toxic issue in midterms, with a 3-to-1 voter opposition against them.
## Key takeaway

Data centers have become the single most toxic issue in midterms, with a 3-to-1 voter opposition against them.