Florida's Gubernatorial Race Shifts Amid Data Center Controversy
A growing backlash against data centers may impact Florida's gubernatorial election as candidates take differing positions.
Patti Zirhut, a long-time Republican voter, is casting her ballot differently this year. After supporting President Donald Trump in three successive elections, she now finds herself questioning the party line. “My ballot is all mixed up,” she admits, revealing plans to vote for a mix of Republicans, independents, and even some Democrats.
Of particular concern to her is Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for governor. Despite Donalds securing Trump's endorsement and significant financial backing, including $148 million largely from the tech sector, Zirhut is adamant: “I will not vote for Byron Donalds,” she states unequivocally.
Community Pushback Against Data Centers
Zirhut is an active member of No Data Center Hernando County, a group opposing the proliferation of data centers in Florida. As Donalds relentlessly promotes the tech industry's expansion in the state, he risks alienating constituents like Zirhut, who are fed up with what they perceive as political maneuvering.
Earlier in the campaign, during an August protest in Spring Hill, Zirhut expressed her reluctance to back Donalds, a sentiment she has maintained as the election nears. “I’m disgusted with all these dirty politics,” she says, hinting at a possible vote for his Democratic opponent, David Jolly.
Contrasting Views on Development
Jolly, a former Republican turned Democrat, is vying to attract disillusioned voters like Zirhut. He argues that opposition to data center development runs deeper among Republicans, partly due to rising concerns around privacy and surveillance driven by tech giants. “It’s a reflection of the outsized influence of Big Tech in our lives,” Jolly explains.
The differences between Donalds and Jolly on the issue of data centers are stark and significant. While Jolly has publicly promised a one-year halt on new data centers, Donalds aims to position Florida as a world financial hub welcoming new tech investments. “There ain’t no bans coming,” he asserted previously, though he has since tempered his stance to gain favor with the 68% of Floridians opposed to data centers.
Local Voices Matter
The growing opposition also reflects a broader sense of unease among Florida residents about local government accountability concerning development projects. Raul Alfonso, chair of Watchdogs of Fort Meade, is spearheading efforts against a $2.6 billion data center in Polk County and notes that candidates’ responsiveness to community concerns could shape the election outcomes.
In discussing the political climate, Alfonso notes that many former staunch Republicans are now seeking alternatives to candidates who dismiss local issues. “There are deep-red individuals looking at flopping over to somebody who will take the concerns of citizens seriously,” he states.
Despite the challenges Jolly faces, including less funding compared to Donalds—$22 million versus $148 million—polls indicate a close race. In fact, a recent University of North Florida survey places Jolly just two points behind Donalds, within the margin of error.
Thus far, while data center opposition isn't the primary concern for many Florida voters—who cite the cost of living as their main issue—Jolly emphasizes that this resistance stems from deeper anxieties about economic stability and privacy in the tech-driven age.
Ultimately, the outcome of the gubernatorial race remains uncertain. Yet, the mounting concern around data centers could not only sway individual votes but alter the very fabric of the support base for the Republican party in Florida.