Byron Donalds

Republican frontrunner Byron Donalds is adjusting his stance on data centers amid rising voter opposition.

Donalds' rivals in the Florida governor's race are taking tougher positions against the AI facilities.

Recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their communities.

Despite his shifting message, Donalds continues to receive significant financial support from the AI industry.

Voters’ rising opposition to data centers is rippling through the Florida governor’s race, with Republican frontrunner Byron Donalds dialing back his once go-go stance as rivals keep pounding at his support for the artificial intelligence facilities.

Donalds has said Florida should become a leader in the technology industry by advancing expansion of data centers. But he is now shifting toward insisting that environmental and consumer issues take precedent to any buildup.

“Innovation in an economy, like AI, doesn’t shrink the pie, it actually expands the pie,” Donalds said in an earlier campaign appearances.

But in new campaign ads, Donalds says, “In my Florida, if you don’t protect our pocketbooks and our people, you won’t build data centers. Period.”

With data centers becoming increasingly unpopular with voters, Donalds’ is shifting his messaging as GOP primary opponents use his once full-throated support against him.

"Byron Donalds is changing his song and dance on AI data centers because it's not politically beneficial for him. The facts haven't changed — only his political calculation,” former House Speaker Paul Renner told the USA TODAY Network - Florida.

Where Donalds' rivals stand

Renner has called for a moratorium on data center construction in Florida. During a recent Fort Lauderdale debate which Donalds refused to attend, Renner, and fellow rivals, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and conservative personality James Fishback clashed over data centers.

All three of Donalds’ leading opponents carved out tougher stances against the facilities, including Fishback who called for removing at least some centers and banning them statewide.

Looking ahead to the November general election, likely Democratic nominee David Jolly also is calling for a statewide moratorium on data centers.

A recent poll by Associated Industries of Florida showed Donalds with 54% of Republican support heading toward the Aug. 18 primary. His backing is more than three times that of his opponents combined.

Could support for data centers dog the frontrunning Donalds?

But data centers are emerging as an issue that could dog Donalds.

There’s growing political risk of antagonizing voters worried that data centers will harm the environment, raise energy costs and bring noisy, ugly buildings into their neighborhoods.

In a vivid example, in Utah, a state Senate president and several county officials supporting a massive data center project all lost primary elections last month.

Florida has about 110 data centers, according to industry trackers. But more than a dozen counties and cities have enacted moratoriums or halted consideration of new centers.

Still, a Florida hyperscale data center, spanning 1,300 acres, has been approved in the Polk County town of Fort Meade. And Palm Beach County is set to vote July 15 on “Project Tango,” another hyperscale center that has drawn widespread criticism in the region.

Polls show rising opposition

Just one-in-three Americans approve of the fast pace of ​data-center construction underway, with most against building one in their own community, according to a June ‌Reuters/Ipsos poll. Some 57% of people surveyed – ​including two-thirds of Democrats and half of Republicans – also said they would oppose a data center being built in their community.

Resistance has climbed from surveys taken earlier this year.

President Donald Trump's administration had prioritized rapid AI development, citing competition with China.

Donalds has been endorsed by Trump as Florida’s next governor and the Naples congressman was quick to get on board with the president’s approach on data centers.

AI industry backing also going to Donalds

The AI industry-backed political committee Leading the Future has pledged to spend at least $5 million to support Donalds. Another AI-funded political committee, American Mission, has spent $500,000 on TV ads supporting Donald, highlighting his endorsement from Trump.

But Donalds already has plenty of cash. The candidate and political committees aligned with his campaign have raised $90 million, according to his latest reports.

Donalds’ campaign didn’t respond to questions from the USA TODAY Network - Florida. But it’s clear that he’s adapted his trumpeting of AI as public criticism of the industry mounts.

While still embracing the Trump endorsement – prefacing almost every reference to himself as “Trump-endorsed” – Donalds says he supports a new Florida law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which puts restrictions on data centers in the state.

The law requires large facilities to cover their electricity costs – not burdening nearby ratepayers. There’s strict water permitting, requiring the use of reclaimed water. And local governments still have authority over zoning, permitting, and land use, allowing communities to deny or set strict standards on projects.

“Data centers cannot and will not be able to raise the electricity prices of Floridians,” Donalds said in a recent appearance.

He also insisted, “We want to make sure there are setbacks and there are barriers.”

Expertise sounds rooted in AI industry talking points

Donalds speaks with a familiarity with data center development that some say echoes the talking points of the AI industry. But his touting of closed-loop cooling and a future that envisions small modular nuclear reactors to power data centers may not satisfy voters.

Donalds seems aware of his political vulnerability.

“I want to be mindful of where the people of Florida are,” Donalds said. “I’m a little concerned about all the political postering on this issue. I’m not posturing. I’m telling you as it is.”

Renner, though, rejects Donalds’ tone.

“Floridians deserve leaders with conviction, not politicians who change their tune with the political winds,” he said.