Republican gubernatorial candidate Representative Byron Donalds (FL-19) has continued to shift his opinion on artificial intelligence, now vowing to support local control over the construction and approval of these hyperscale data centers.
This comes after his opponent, Democratic nominee David Jolly, criticized his previous support and financial ties to the centers, which have become increasingly unpopular in communities nationwide.
Residents who want them out of their communities say the centers drive up electricity and water bills for residents because of the amount of power they use to operate every day.
Many also argue against them because of the environmental harms they may cause to the areas in which they are located.
Jolly vowed to create an immediate moratorium on all AI data centers if elected.
Although Rep. Donalds has taken a softer approach, his public views on the centers have become closer and closer to those of Jolly's.
While speaking on a panel led by Governor Ron DeSantis, who recently endorsed Donalds in the gubernatorial race, Donalds advocated for local control over decisions related to AI data centers, resident protection from increasing utility rates, and protection of the community's water.
Prior to Donalds speaking, Gov. DeSantis announced Florida currently has no hyperscale data centers, which the crowd cheered.
When DeSantis asked Donalds if he would support the legislature if it tried to create legislation to go around local governments in the hyperscale data center approval process, he said he would not.
"We would veto that," he said. "We're not gonna preempt local governments when it comes to hyperscale data centers."
He said the state of Florida will respect a county's decision to deny a data center in their region.
Donalds also praised Gov. DeSantis' recent bills ensuring the companies in charge of the data centers cover their costs and don't pass on utility charges to local residents.
"I stand with the Governor and our state law: -Local control. If a community doesn’t want a data center — no data center. -Your bills do not go up. -Our water is protected," Donalds wrote in an X post Thursday about the panel.
My conversation with Governor @rondesantis on data centers.
I stand with the Governor and our state law:
-Local control. If a community doesn’t want a data center — no data center.
-Your bills do not go up.
-Our water is protected. pic.twitter.com/c0Qp6JWpLe— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) September 3, 2026
