Slate Daily Feed What Next: TBD | Data Centers on the Ballot
Nov 14, 2025
Margaret Barthel, a WAMU reporter specializing in Northern Virginia's political landscape, dives into the fascinating intersection of data centers and local elections. She reveals how these tech hubs emerged as crucial voter concerns, cutting across party lines. Residents voice worries about noise, wildlife loss, and community integrity. Barthel also examines the economic promises versus the reality of short-term jobs and rising energy demands. With the political landscape shifting, she highlights the future implications for voters and the tech industry in Virginia.
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Data Centers Cut Across Party Lines
- Data centers emerged as a top local election issue across party lines in Northern Virginia.
- Voters from both parties prioritized neighborhood and land-use impacts over national partisan frames.
Campaigns Win By Talking About Data Centers
- John McAuliffe ran on restricting data center development and his message resonated with voters in District 30.
- He said talking about data centers often opened doors and secured voters' attention on the campaign trail.
Why Northern Virginia Became Data Center Hub
- Northern Virginia became attractive to data centers due to early fiber infrastructure and proximity to population centers.
- The region now supplies a substantial share of global and North American computing power.