House Democrats’ campaign arm has identified 11 battleground House races where they plan to highlight concerns about data centers, according to an updated strategy webpage used to coordinate with super PACs. The focus comes as polling from the House Majority PAC (HMP) shows negative messaging on data centers resonates with voters in key districts, particularly in the Midwest.
The Democratic effort centers on two themes: costs and corruption, framing data centers as facilities that benefit from excessive tax incentives while straining local resources such as water and electricity. An internal HMP memo obtained by POLITICO instructs allies to link data centers to these concerns in negative advertisements targeting vulnerable Republicans, including Reps. Max Miller (R-OH), Mike Carey (R-OH), and Tom Barr (R-MI).
Growing bipartisan opposition to data centers is emerging in communities across the country, with residents citing environmental and infrastructure strains as primary concerns. In Hanford, California, residents gathered at a town hall in late August to oppose a proposed data center at the local fairgrounds, citing fears over air pollution and water shortages. Local officials described the issue as "a very emotionally charged" topic with national, state, and local implications.
Democratic messaging strategy
House Democrats’ campaign communications, outlined in the HMP memo, emphasize two key attack lines: data centers as symbols of corporate favoritism and resource depletion. The memo highlights polling conducted in 24 battleground House districts, where negative messaging about data centers performed strongly, particularly in Midwestern targets. The strategy encourages allies to frame the issue as part of broader voter frustrations over costs and corruption, a dominant theme in recent political discourse.
Community-level backlash
In Hanford, residents like Darian Orduno, a 25-year-old mother, expressed concerns about the potential health impacts of data centers on her infant son. Orduno’s comments reflect broader anxieties about air quality and water supply in the Central Valley, where pollution already poses significant health risks. Local leaders, including Hanford Mayor Mark Kairis, noted that opposition to data centers has escalated from a national debate to a pressing local issue.
Policy and political implications
The Democratic push comes as data centers become a unusually bipartisan flash point in the midterm elections. While Democrats focus on corporate accountability and resource management, Republican-led states have also raised concerns about data center expansion, particularly regarding energy consumption and infrastructure strain. The issue has gained traction in competitive congressional races, with candidates from both parties positioning themselves as responsive to voter concerns.
Background: The rise of data centers
Data centers, which house servers for tech companies, have proliferated across the U.S. in recent years, driven by demand for cloud computing and digital services. Critics argue that the facilities impose disproportionate costs on local communities, including high electricity usage and water consumption, while often receiving substantial tax breaks. Proponents counter that data centers drive economic growth and innovation, creating jobs and supporting local tax bases.
Ongoing developments
The Democratic campaign arm’s updated guidance signals an intensification of efforts to make data centers a central issue in the midterms. Allies are encouraged to test messaging that connects data centers to broader voter frustrations, including perceptions of corporate greed and government inefficiency. The strategy reflects a broader trend of using localized issues to amplify national political narratives ahead of the November elections.