These Midterm Races Will Decide Data Centers’ Political Fate

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.

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.

Amazon Says It’s No Longer Using NDAs for Data Centers

The company announced it has stopped using secret agreements with county officials and acknowledged that community backlash is leading to data center moratoriums across the country.

It’s Donald Trump Versus MAGA on Data Centers

The president has doubled down on data centers and AI. His base is running in the opposite direction.

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.

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.

Rural Data Centers Are in for a Big Federal Tax Break

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, data center projects in rural areas could be eligible for major tax benefits starting next year. Some hyperscalers do not seem eager to take the free cash.

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.

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.

‘Mike Rogers Is Watching You’: New Ad Blitz From Abdul El-Sayed Attacks Surveillance Support

Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is leaning into one of the major complaints about surveillance from voters this election cycle.

These Extremists Are Running for Election in November

With the threat of political violence at unprecedented levels, state and federal GOP candidates are openly sharing racist, pro-militia, anti-vaccine, sexist, antisemitic, and secessionist views.