Data center backlash set to sway midterm elections

A tech story from Virginia, reported by Virginia Mercury.

Tech · Virginia · October 12, 2026

From Virginia Mercury

In the course of a single election cycle, the backlash against data centers has grown from an issue at local planning commission and city council meetings to become a flashpoint in state and federal races across the country.

Reported by Virginia Mercury, October 12, 2026. Read the full story at Virginia Mercury →

More tech from Virginia

Google data center project in Chesterfield racks up seven environmental violations from state · WRIC Richmond
Margaret Hamilton, who coined the phrase 'software engineer' and designed steering systems for Apollo 11, dies · 13News Now Norfolk
New Kent leaders reject proposed 2-year data center moratorium · WRIC Richmond
LG’s $64M Virginia factory will make data center chillers · Virginia Business
Contradicting Trump, Pope Leo says artificial intelligence safety concerns not 'fake news' · 13News Now Norfolk
'It doesn't stop the fire': community reacts to Spanberger's new data center framework · WRIC Richmond
Gov. Spanberger reveals Data Center Accountability Framework · WAVY Hampton Roads
Spanberger outlines proposed plan on data centers · WRIC Richmond

All tech → · Virginia local news →

Open HeyHomees →