# Texas Voters oppose Data centers 57% to 43% as election issue grows

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-10-28T12:00:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/texas-voters-oppose-data-centers-57-to-43-as-election-issue-grows

## Summary

A broad coalition of Texas voters opposes data center expansion across party lines, with 57 percent against new construction according to an August poll. The opposition spans Republicans (43 percent), Democrats (75 percent), and independents (54 percent). Groups including the Texas NAACP and Save Rural Texas have formed the We the People Texas coalition, which estimates it represents up to 1 million voters concerned about water consumption, tax subsidies, and new power plants.

Texas has become the fastest-growing state for data centers, with 26GW of existing and under-construction capacity compared to 13GW in Virginia. The state's sales tax exemption for data centers, expanded by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015, was initially projected to cost $14.6 million but now amounts to an estimated $3.2 billion in lost revenue over two years. Electricity bills have risen 35.4 percent over five years, and data center water use could grow from 0.4 percent to 2.7 percent of state totals by 2030.

Abbott has shifted course, ordering moratoriums on permits and proposing to repeal the tax exemption, but advocates say the pauses don't cover off-grid projects. His opponent Gina Hinojosa has gained ground campaigning against data centers, though some activists question her sincerity. Both Senate candidates Ken Paxton and James Talarico have also adjusted positions, though both have taken campaign money from data center interests.

## Key points

- 57% of Texas voters oppose data center construction, including 43% of Republicans and 75% of Democrats
- Texas leads with 26GW data center capacity vs Virginia's 13GW; tax exemption costs $3.2B over two years
- Gov. Abbott ordered permit moratoriums and proposed repealing tax breaks, but off-grid projects continue

## Why it matters

Bipartisan voter backlash in the top data center state could reshape AI infrastructure policy, tax incentives, and energy planning ahead of midterms.

## Sources

1. [Voters in Texas agree: They hate data centers](https://theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1018676/data-center-midterm-election-energy-water-texas) (The Verge AI, 2026-10-28)

Part of the developing story: [US Data Center Moratoriums Face Voter Backlash](https://digestai.news/thread/300-us-data-center-moratoriums-have-delayed-only-three-projects-analysis-finds) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Texas Voters oppose Data centers 57% to 43% as election issue grows", 28 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/texas-voters-oppose-data-centers-57-to-43-as-election-issue-grows

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