# Data centers spark rare political unity > Voters across the political spectrum oppose AI data centers in their communities, creating an unexpected challenge for Trump's push to expand them. - Title: Data centers spark rare political unity · NBC News | Shortify - Summary: Voters across the political spectrum oppose AI data centers in their communities, creating an unexpected challenge for Trump's push to expand them. Data… - Keywords: data centers, ai infrastructure, donald trump, 2026 midterms, voter opposition, utility costs, water consumption, alexandria ocasio-cortez, bernie sanders, iowa, ohio, pennsylvania - Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/trump-data-centers-voters-key-midterm-races-rcna594914 - Author: Jonathan Allen - Published: 2026-09-06T13:00:40+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: data centers, ai infrastructure, donald trump, 2026 midterms, voter opposition, utility costs, water consumption, alexandria ocasio-cortez, bernie sanders, iowa, ohio, pennsylvania ## Republicans and Democrats unite against data centers A Republican county supervisor in Iowa and prominent democratic socialists in Congress both support a moratorium on data center construction. Voters across the political spectrum say they don't want them nearby. > I don't think this is a Republican or Democratic issue ## Voters strongly oppose local data centers An NBC News poll found 69% of respondents oppose AI data center construction in their area, with 45% strongly opposed. Even Republican voters oppose them 57% to 43%. ## Trump pushes back on voter concerns Trump wrote on Truth Social that communities rejecting data centers will "end up being backwards and poor." He argues they bring jobs, lower taxes, and economic success. > If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign. ## Water and utility costs drive opposition Voters worry data centers consume massive amounts of water and electricity, driving up utility costs for residents. One Iowa electrician said a data center "gobbled up" the power grid built for the community. ## Inequality fuels voter frustration Some voters see data centers as another way the wealthy profit while ordinary people struggle. One Ohio Democrat said it's troublesome that "the rich should continuously get rich while we have to grovel." ## Ohio race highlights the divide Rep. Marcy Kaptur is using data center tax breaks against Republican Derek Merrin, who voted to extend them in 2017. The issue has become central to a competitive House race. ## Politicians shift positions on data centers Ohio Sen. Jon Husted, once a data center advocate, introduced legislation requiring operators to pay for increased electricity and water costs. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed new regulations after encouraging their expansion. ## Workers tout high-paying data center jobs Union workers in Ohio say data centers provide well-paying jobs, with some earning up to five thousand dollars weekly including overtime. They say critics exaggerate problems they haven't witnessed. > It's helping a lot of people, a lot of work going on, a lot of people benefiting from it ## Labor unions back data center expansion National and local labor unions support data centers as sources of construction and maintenance jobs with high pay. They represent a key constituency backing the industry. ## Data centers become a midterm issue The data center debate is shaping races in eight swing House districts and two Senate races along Interstate 80. Voters cite it as a reason to support or oppose candidates. ## County supervisor calls for caution Iowa's Dawn Vogel, who voted for a data center moratorium, says the county needs answers about water and resource use before allowing more construction. She wants companies to prove they won't harm the community. > if you don't have water to drink, you don't have humans to use the data ## Key takeaway Data centers have become a local ballot issue that unites Republicans and Democrats against rapid expansion, driven by concerns about water use, utility costs, and land use.