Texas Republicans Turn Against Data Centers as November Midterms Test Rural Support
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 9
Texas Republicans Turn Against Data Centers as November Midterms Test Rural Support
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 9
Summary
Rural Texas Republicans are increasingly opposing new data center projects, giving Democrats an opening ahead of the November midterms even in a state the GOP has long dominated.
Hillsboro residents Kelley and Michael Ivy, both longtime Republican voters, blamed GOP leaders including Gov. Greg Abbott for allowing rapid expansion they say is damaging the landscape and straining local water systems.
That anger reflects a broader bipartisan backlash as construction surges nationwide, with data centers forging unusual local alliances between environmental critics and residents worried about industrial disruption.
Texas carries particular political weight because it hosts more data centers than any state except Virginia, while Republicans face one of their most serious statewide electoral tests in years.
Republicans are betting dissatisfied rural voters will still stay with the party, while Democrats hope the issue can chip away at one of the GOP's most reliable blocs.