Environment & Climate
Grassroots activists opposing datacenters launch bids for local political offices
Community organizers are seeking public office amid widespread project opposition, The Guardian reports.
The short version
- Community activists who organized against datacenter developments across the United States are launching campaigns for local and state elected offices.[The Guardian]
- The Working Families Party has enlisted over 50 datacenter opponents to run, yielding recent electoral successes in Arizona and Oregon.[The Guardian]
- Residents delayed or stopped $130 billion in development projects during early 2026, though long-term electoral outcomes remain uncertain.[The Guardian]
Key facts
- The Working Families Party began recruiting anti-datacenter activists in December, resulting in more than 50 candidates launching campaigns.[The Guardian]
- Data Center Watch research indicates that local residents delayed or cancelled $130 billion in projects during the first three months of 2026.[The Guardian]
- A March Gallup poll found that seven in 10 Americans oppose construction close to where they live.[The Guardian]
- Jackie McGuire secured a town council seat in Marana, Arizona, after campaigning alongside a slate of anti-datacenter activists.[The Guardian]
- Educator Myrna Muñoz defeated incumbent Janeen Sollman in a July Oregon state senate primary amid debate over industrial development on farmland.[The Guardian]
- Steven Kung helped lead Monterey Park to become the first US municipality to prohibit datacenter construction and is contesting a city council seat against an incumbent.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the nascent political movement can sustain legislative bans or replicate primary victories in general local elections nationwide remains unproven.[The Guardian]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.