Maine's data center fight becomes a Senate election issue

The expansion of AI data centers has become one of Maine's most volatile campaign issues, with 76% of residents opposing a facility in their community. Tech companies and investors have poured millions into the Senate race while towns enact temporary moratoriums.

• 76% of Mainers oppose data centers in their communities, 58% strongly
• Senate race spending: $81M for Democrats and $114M for Republicans
• In April the legislature passed the first US statewide data center moratorium, vetoed by the governor
• Economists say data centers create almost no net jobs after construction