AI data centers become major issue in Florida governor’s race

FLORIDA, (WINK) - Artificial intelligence data centers have become one of the defining issues in Florida’s race for governor, with candidates from both parties weighing in as they campaign ahead of the Aug. 18 primary.

The Republican field includes U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, investment firm CEO James Fishback and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner. Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly is among the Democratic candidates seeking his party’s nomination.

As the campaign unfolds, a new University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab poll suggests the issue is resonating with voters.

The poll found 68% of likely Florida voters oppose building an AI data center in their own community, while 28% support the idea and 4% are undecided. The same poll found Donalds leading Jolly in a hypothetical general election matchup, 46% to 41%.

Jolly, who spoke one-on-one with WINK News, said those concerns are why he is calling for a one-year moratorium on new hyperscale AI data centers.

“I’ve called for a one-year moratorium because voters are right to be concerned that the hyperscale data centers are coming in before we have time to regulate its impact on our environment, what it means for property values, our economy, sound pollution… We need better protections in place before we move forward.”

Jolly said the pause would allow Florida to study the environmental and economic impacts of hyperscale data centers before allowing additional projects.

If elected governor, he said he would immediately halt new construction.

“As governor, on day one, I will issue a moratorium on data centers in the state of Florida until we have the environmental protections and the economic impact studies that actually could support their use in Florida.”

The Donalds campaign says the congressman believes technological innovation and environmental protections can go hand in hand.

In a statement to WINK News, Gates McGavick, communications director for the Byron Donalds for Governor campaign, said:

“Byron Donalds has been very clear: no protections for ratepayers and Florida’s natural resources means no data centers. He believes that Florida can lead the nation in technological innovation without asking Florida families to foot the bill — that’s why he’s legislating on this issue while other candidates react to it.”

After WINK News asked follow-up questions, the campaign pointed to Donalds’ proposed Protecting Ratepayers Act, saying it addresses concerns about utility costs associated with AI data centers.

The campaign also said Florida’s recently enacted Senate Bill 484 includes protections for ratepayers, water resources and local oversight of data center development.

Addressing where future facilities should be located, the campaign also referenced a previous statement from Donalds:

“Floridians don’t want a data center outside their front door, and neither do I.”

Donalds has echoed that message in campaign advertising, saying:

“If you don’t protect our pocketbooks and our people, you won’t build data centers. Period.”

While both candidates say protecting Florida’s natural resources is a priority, they differ on how to move forward.

Jolly says Florida should temporarily pause new hyperscale AI data centers while additional environmental protections and economic studies are completed.

Donalds’ campaign says AI data centers should not be built without protections for ratepayers and Florida’s natural resources, pointing to Donalds’ proposed legislation and Florida’s newly enacted law as examples of those safeguards.

Florida’s primary election is Aug. 18.