POLICY AND POLITICS
AI data centers emerge as a key issue in Florida governor race
Among the concerns raised about these projects are their massive use of water and electricity
Curt AndersonUSA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
July 22, 2026, 5:05 a.m. ET
- Candidates in Florida’s gubernatorial race are debating the future of large artificial intelligence data centers.
- Concerns over the centers include their high use of electricity and water, which could raise costs for residents.
- Public opposition has led to the halt of five proposed data center projects across the state.
- Some candidates propose a temporary ban on new projects, while others suggest stricter regulations and no taxpayer subsidies.
Democrats and Republicans in Florida finally agree on something
Amid growing opposition to giant artificial intelligence data centers, candidates in this year’s race for Florida governor are taking stances ranging from a complete statewide halt to mandating a more rigorous approval process
Republican Byron Donalds, the GOP frontrunner according to opinion polls, was initially in more full-throated support of the massive projects. But now, given the opposition around the state, Donalds is taking a more cautious approach
“In my Florida, if you don’t protect our pocketbooks and our people, you won’t build data centers. Period,” Donalds said in a recent TV ad
To underscore how central the issue has become, Donalds — a Republican congressman — on July 20 introduced legislation on Capitol Hill that would require data centers to get their water and electricity from private the measure will pass
Voters are pushing back on massive water, electricity needs for data centers
Among the concerns raised about these projects are their massive use of water and electricity, which could drive up power costs for people and businesses and deplete water re use enough electricity to power an estimated 500,000 homes, authorities say
Still, other candidates point out that AI-connected entities have contributed at least $135,000 to the Donalds campaign, according to state records. That includes $10,000 from Fort Meade LLC to the Friends of Byron Donalds PAC as a 4.4 million-square-foot data center is proposed for Fort Meade, located in Polk County
Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner David Jolly said he favors a moratorium on data center projects until more rules and regulations are ready to address environmental issues, labor protections and cost to consumers
“I’m calling for a stop to AI data centers until Florida has a responsible plan to protect our water, our workforce, and our way of life,” Jolly said in a news release Tuesday, July 21
Several Florida data centers have been scrapped or delayed
Five proposed data centers in Florida have been halted since February amid loud public outcry. Projects have been stopped in St. Lucie County, Okeechobee, Martin County, Citrus County and most recently the huge “Project Tango” proposal in western Palm Beach County
In Escambia County, commissioners will soon consider a newly drafted ordinance meant to “ban” data centers
Officials in Palm Beach County cited the project’s location near the large Arden residential development as well as an elementary school
“We don’t need a hyperscale data center next to Arden,” Commissioner Maria Sachs said. “We can’t be guinea pigs.”
Some Florida cities and counties are also adopting or considering their own moratoriums on huge data center projects. A nonprofit group called Florida Data Centers found that 75 data center projects across the nation worth $130 billion have been delayed or canceled in the first quarter of 2026 alone
Where the other governor candidates stand on data centers
In the Republican race for Florida governor, candidates Paul Renner and Jay Collins have sought to contrast their data center positions with that of Donalds. Renner said “some politicians are racing to turn Florida into the epicenter of AI infrastructure at any cost” without mentioning Donalds by name
“Leadership doesn’t mean blindly chasing the next trend” said Renner, a former state House speaker. “It means protecting the people you serve.”
Collins, the lieutenant governor, outlined a proposal that includes no taxpayer subsidies for data centers, a requirement that center operators pay for infrastructure, protection of local decision-making and safeguards against forcing people to pay higher power costs
“We can embrace innovation without asking Florida families to foot the bill,” Collins said
State Rep. Dotie Joseph, who is Jolly’s main competitor in the Democratic campaign for governor, said data centers must disclose more details about their operations before they are approved especially the use of water and electricity
So far, the state has not enacted any broad rules for data centers. Legislation signed into law in May by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis does make clear that local authorities will retain zoning, permitting and land use powers. That bill also prevents utilities from passing data center costs on to residential consumers
“These are much-needed protections for taxpayers and our natural re
Where does President Trump stand on data center projects?
New York recently became the first state to impose a one-year moratorium on data center projects. That prompted President Donald Trump to call it a “terrible decision” and that the data centers are key to the future
“They are big, strong, bold, and Money Machines for the state in which they are built,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform
It’s clear hyperscale data center projects have struck a nerve with Florida voters, many of whom have turned out in droves at city and county meetings to speak against them
“It seems to have jumped from a low to high salience issue,” said Suzanne Robbins, a political science professor at the University of Florida
Curt Anderson is the Policy and Politics Reporter for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY athttps://tallahassee.com/newsletters
