Key facts
- Democrats are focusing campaign messaging on data centers rather than broader AI regulation.
- Voters are more concerned about data centers due to electricity costs, aligning with affordability messages.
- A Navigator Research poll found 60% of voters prioritize inflation and cost of living, while 16% prioritize AI.
- Most battleground Democrats will not pivot to AI regulation messaging unless voters express more concern.
Democrats are finding that while constituents express concerns about artificial intelligence, the more pressing and politically salient issue for voters on the campaign trail is the construction of data centers. This focus stems from concerns about the cost of electricity associated with these facilities, which directly ties into the broader message of affordability that is a top priority for voters ahead of the November elections.
Several Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio and Bob Harvie, who is challenging Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania, are actively campaigning on this issue, spending significant funds on advertisements criticizing Republican opponents for their alleged support of data center development. Democratic operatives also plan to target vulnerable Virginia Republicans Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans on this topic, according to a new memo.
Democratic pollster and strategist Brad Bannon advises clients to focus on data centers, stating that AI is an emerging issue that may not significantly impact voting behavior in the upcoming midterms. Surveys reinforce this sentiment; a recent Navigator Research poll indicated that 60% of voters consider inflation and the cost of living their top priority, while only 16% cited artificial intelligence. Consequently, most battleground Democrats are not planning to shift their campaign messaging to direct AI regulation unless they perceive a stronger voter demand for it.