What was once a little-known local issue has exploded into one of the biggest political fights of the year in Texas, as massive AI data centers ignite a rural backlash that could reshape November's governor's race.
When Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa launched her campaign last year, data centers barely registered with voters. Now, the sprawling server farms powering artificial intelligence are fueling anger across rural Texas, where residents fear soaring electricity bills, shrinking water supplies and the loss of farmland and ranchland.
