Democrats who campaigned on restricting data center development won governorships in Texas, Georgia and Ohio in the Nov. 3 elections, Michael Acton and Martha Muir reported for the Financial Times. Reuters also reported the Texas and Georgia victories. The winners’ proposals differ, and their election does not put statewide freezes in place.
In Texas, Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott after promising an immediate moratorium on data center development. Her proposal included a halt to new AI data center construction pending legal safeguards, the Financial Times reported. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms promised a temporary statewide pause. Ohio’s Amy Acton defeated Vivek Ramaswamy and promised a conditional freeze on new approvals for projects that do not meet strict energy- and water-use criteria, according to the Financial Times.
Local voters backed restrictions, too. A measure passed in Trenton, Ohio, would stymie Amazon’s plans for a campus there. In Edgewater, Florida, voters approved a proposal to write a ban on data center construction into the city charter, the Financial Times reported.
The Financial Times reported concerns about air and noise pollution and electricity and water bills. Reuters said opponents also cited lighting, jobs and tax incentives. As for the governors’ promises, their power to change data center policy depends on state law, and some may need to work with legislators.
