Data centers have become a significant campaign issue across multiple Texas races, with candidates from both parties calling for stricter regulation and oversight. Governor Greg Abbott previously promoted data centers but shifted to calling for a six-month permit moratorium, which the TCEQ began enforcing in October.
Where
Statewide
When
October 22, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Dan PatrickLt. Governor
Sid MillerTexas Agriculture Commissioner who lost Republican primary
Greg AbbottGovernor
Nate SheetsRepublican primary winner for Agriculture Commissioner
Public CitizenNonpartisan watchdog organization
Clayton TuckerDemocrat running for Texas Agriculture Commissioner
Gina HinojosaDemocrat challenging Governor Abbott
Ken PaxtonRepublican candidate for Texas Senate, Attorney General
James TalaricoDemocrat running for Texas Senate
Claudia FowlerResident from Joppa
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)State agency
University of Texas and Texas Politics ProjectPollster
The facts
Over 300 data centers currently operate in Texas, with plans for 288 more.2
Abbott announced a six-month moratorium on data center permits earlier this year.2
TCEQ continued processing data center permits after Abbott's moratorium announcement.2
On October 18, TCEQ sent letter to Abbott saying it had shut down permit filing system.2
University of Texas and Texas Politics Project poll found 57 percent of Texans oppose data centers in their community.2
Rural Texans opposed data centers at 60 percent in the same poll.2
Dallas has the highest concentration of data centers in Texas.2
Paxton as Attorney General has launched investigations into over 100 data centers.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Sid Miller Data centers have no oversight and no regulation.2
Sid Miller Did not vote for Governor Abbott or Nate Sheets in the Republican primary.2
Governor Abbott Data center companies have built their own grave.2
Governor Abbott Texas is the epicenter of AI development.2
Clayton Tucker Data center issue goes far beyond party lines and Texans are coming together on it.2
Claudia Fowler Data center got approval by billing itself as utility center; residents not included in conversation.2
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issues warning to data centers
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
President Donald Trump will hold rallies in Corpus Christi and Lubbock, Texas on October 27, one week before the November midterm election. The visit replaces a previously scheduled rally in Waco.
Donald Trump, President; Republican National Committee, event organizer; Eric Flores, Republican congressional candidate in South Texas and 5 more
Eight major-party candidates are running for four seats in Bexar County's congressional delegation in the November 3, 2026 election, following redistricting that reduced the county's representation from five to four members and redrawn 43% of residents into new districts.
Joaquin Castro, Democratic U.S. Representative, seeking reelection to eighth term; Edgardo Baez, Republican first-time candidate; Chip Roy, Incumbent U.S. Representative, chose not to seek reelection and 2 more
Ron Nirenberg, former San Antonio mayor, is running for Bexar County Judge as the Democratic nominee against Republican Patrick Von Dohlen. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026. The candidates debated on Oct. 15.
Ron Nirenberg, Democratic candidate for Bexar County Judge; former San Antonio mayor; Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County Judge; financial advisor and conservative activist; Peter Sakai, Incumbent Bexar County Judge; defeated by Nirenberg in Democratic primary and 1 more
Texas election law allows eligible voters who moved from one county to another to cast a limited ballot in statewide and certain district races even if their registration still reflects their previous address. The limited ballot option is available during early voting (October 19-30) before the November 3 election.
Christian Hudspeth, Logistics Coordinator; Texas Secretary of State's Office, State election authority
Voting has begun in Texas's 34th Congressional District with four candidates on the ballot. Early voting ends October 30, and Election Day is November 3.
Eddie Espinoza, Green Party candidate; Eric Flores, Republican candidate; Vicente Gonzalez, Democratic candidate, serving fifth term in Congress and 1 more
Tech companies and AI have emerged as a major focus of 2026 midterm election campaigns. Both Republican and Democratic candidates are running ads and making speeches attacking or defending datacenters, AI, and tech billionaires. Ken Paxton, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Texas, has called for a slowdown on AI despite the industry's pro-Trump alignment.
$more than $75 million for PAC fundraising for tech-friendly candidates
Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Texas; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Texas; Three Star Pac, Democrat-aligned PAC running anti-datacenter campaign ads and 4 more
Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat state Rep. James Talarico have released campaign ads and made statements attacking each other as the midterm election approaches. Paxton has criticized Talarico's record on taxes and energy policy; Talarico has attacked Paxton's legal history.
$$500 million for campaign spending
Ken Paxton, Republican Texas Attorney General running for U.S. Senate; James Talarico, Democrat state Rep. running for U.S. Senate; Ben Ferguson, mentioned in Paxton campaign post
An analysis of campaign advertising data shows Republicans and Democrats have evolved their top issues since June. Republicans spent $359 million emphasizing crime, taxation, and transgender issues; Democrats spent $156.1 million focusing on taxation, healthcare, and corruption.
$$359 million for republican campaign advertising spending
Republicans, political party with candidates in Texas statewide races; Democrats, political party with candidates in Texas statewide races; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate candidate and 3 more