The Politics of Solar Energy Are Getting Weird, Mean, and a Little MAGA

These Midterm Races Will Decide Data Centers’ Political Fate

From the Senate to governors’ mansions, candidates are trying to outcompete each other to be the most anti–data center in races across the US.

WIRED’s Midterms Races to Watch

From data centers to Elon Musk funding to the AI lobby, the 2026 midterms are the most WIRED elections yet. These are the candidates we're following closely.

The Data Center Backlash Should Also Be a Climate Reckoning. It Isn’t Yet

Climate groups are latching onto the data center opposition movement, but it remains to be seen if they can get people to care about the facilities’ impact on the atmosphere.

A Startup Wants to Power Data Centers With ‘Supercritical’ Carbon Dioxide

The technology could strap onto existing gas turbines and make them more efficient—but it wouldn’t do away with their emissions entirely.

Elon Musk’s America PAC Is Quietly Funding November’s Most Consequential Elections

America PAC’s approach has been unusual: for every dollar it has spent supporting GOP Senate candidates, it has spent almost three dollars attacking Democrats.

Elon Musk’s America PAC Is Spending Big on the Midterms. We’re Tracking It Daily

To follow Elon Musk’s America PAC money, WIRED created a live-updating tracker that highlights the trillionaire’s overall influence on November’s elections.

The White House Is Starting to Panic Over the Midterms

President Donald Trump still thinks Republicans have a shot. His aides are less convinced.

AI PACs Have Dumped Nearly $1 Million Into an Obscure Senate Race

The reliably Republican South Dakota senate seat has an incumbent on the ballot. But PACs associated with AI labs and investors have already spent more money on the race than actual residents have.

Hundreds of Election Deniers Will Be on the Ballot This November

197 election deniers are running for Congress or statewide office in 43 states. Many of them are seeking roles that would put them in charge of voting for the 2028 presidential election.

Election Deniers Think the GOP’s Terrible Midterm Polling Is a ‘Psyop’

Dozens and dozens of high-profile MAGA influencers and pundits have weighed in. “The laughable fake polls are rolling out,” Catturd posted on X.

The Biggest Pro-AI Super PAC Network Has Poured Millions Into Nevada Shell Companies

Backed by Silicon Valley titans, Leading the Future has raised huge sums to promote pro-AI candidates on both side of the aisle.