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# Democrats Seize on AI Data Center Backlash That's Dividing Rural Republicans
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/democrats-seize-on-ai-data-center-backlash-thats-dividing-rural-republicans/
- Published: 2026-07-24T01:26:42.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T09:49:53.000Z
- Description: The AI data center controversy could influence the upcoming election.
- Author: Associated Press
- Tags: Data Center, AI, #with-siderail, Texas, AP, Gina Hinojosa, Greg Abbott, Sherrod Brown, John Husted, Francesca Hong, Sam Burleigh, Josh Shapiro, Donald Trump, Google, China, Sid Miller, Suzanne Bellsnyder, Giles Dalby, Clayton Tucker, Stephen Sanders, Hallie Bertrand

AMARILLO, Texas, July 23, 2026 (AP) — When **Gina Hinojosa**, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, began her campaign last year, candidates weren't talking about — or hearing about — data centers that power [artificial intelligence](https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com).

[Data Center Boom Strains Communities, Some Panelists SayThe issue may have already hardened into a defining political issue of 2026.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/icon/291902499_377772294340770_1913533388107842851_n-d134e4d9-f6df-4c01-80d7-9580783e29b4.png)Broadband BreakfastBroadband Breakfast![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1584169417032-d34e8d805e8b-77220ebe-8454-47db-8699-e5c59ec602f6.jpeg)](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/data-center-boom-strains-communities-some-panelists-say/)

But with barely three months until November's contest, the perceived threat to rural life, ranchland and dwindling water supplies could become a defining issue for her long-shot challenge to Republican Gov. [**Greg Abbott**](https://apnews.com/hub/greg-abbott?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com), dividing conservative rural areas that have traditionally served as a counterweight to Democrats' urban strongholds.

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