The role of data centers in the Democratic primaries

NPR | By Tamara Keith

Published August 4, 2026 at 4:16 PM EDT

Democratic candidates in some key Midwestern races are focusing on data centers. Resistance to data centers is proving to be politically salient as voters distrust big tech.

Tamara Keith

Tamara Keith is a Senior Political Correspondent for NPR and co-hosts the NPR Politics Podcast.

See stories by Tamara Keith

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

SpaceX's revenue rises as its once-soaring stock price drifts back to Earth

John Ruwitch

On their first earnings call since SpaceX's June public offering, executives said the company is pouring funds into rocket development, Starlink satellites and AI.
NPR News

Oregon's wildfire season is pushing ranchers to evacuate their cattle

April Ehrlich

Oregon has been having an extremely active fire season. Some of the areas burning are critical to ranchers whose livelihoods depend on cattle.
Spokane fires continue to destroy buildings and displace tens of thousands

Kirk Siegler, Ailsa Chang

Since last weekend, the wildfires near Spokane, Wash., have displaced tens of thousands of people and destroyed hundreds of buildings in the state's second-largest city.
US precision missile shortage

Mary Louise Kelly, Tom Bowman

The war with Iran has seriously depleted US missile stockpiles — both offensive and defensive.
Officials have confirmed that an immigrant in ICE custody at Delaney Hall has died

Vanessa Romo, Mary Louise Kelly

The major of Newark, New Jersey's has announced a death in Delaney Hall.