Data Centers Power Democratic Wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and Georgia

Data centers, a crucial component of the digital landscape, have emerged as a significant factor in the Democratic sweep of gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey and public service commissioner races in Georgia. The Democrats' victory offers an early glimpse of what could be a sleeper issue in the 2026 midterm elections: the politics of AI infrastructure. According to sources, data centers' outsized energy demands were a major campaign issue in Virginia, with Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger calling on tech companies to pay their fair share to strengthen the grid. In New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill won the governorship championing legislation that would require data centers to help fund grid modernization and renewable energy investments. Similarly, in Georgia, Democrats Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard unseated incumbent Republicans on the Public Service Commission, citing concerns over the environmental impact of data centers. Industry experts point out that data centers are a critical component of the digital economy, but their energy consumption is a growing concern. "Data centers are the backbone of the digital world, but they also have a significant carbon footprint," said Rachel Peterson, a data center expert at CBRE. "As the demand for cloud computing and AI continues to grow, it's essential that we address the environmental impact of these facilities." The Democrats' victory in these races suggests that the politics of AI infrastructure may become a significant issue in the 2026 midterm elections. "This is a wake-up call for the tech industry," said a spokesperson for the Democratic Party. "We need to ensure that data centers are held accountable for their energy consumption and that they contribute to the development of renewable energy sources." Background research reveals that data centers are a rapidly growing industry, with the global market expected to reach $74 billion by 2025. However, their energy consumption is a significant concern, with some estimates suggesting that data centers account for up to 1% of global electricity consumption. In addition to the environmental impact, data centers also pose a challenge to the grid's ability to meet increasing energy demands. "Data centers are a significant load on the grid, and their energy consumption can cause power outages and brownouts," said a spokesperson for the Electric Power Research Institute. "We need to develop more efficient data centers and invest in grid modernization to ensure that we can meet the growing demand for energy." The current status of the data center industry is one of rapid growth, with new facilities being built across the country. However, the Democrats' victory in these races suggests that the industry may face increased scrutiny in the future. As the demand for cloud computing and AI continues to grow, it's likely that the politics of AI infrastructure will become a significant issue in the years to come. In the next developments, it's expected that the tech industry will face increased pressure to address the environmental impact of data centers. "We need to work with policymakers to develop more sustainable data centers and invest in renewable energy sources," said a spokesperson for the data center industry. "We're committed to reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to the development of a more sustainable digital economy."