Showdown Over Datacenter Politics at Heart of North Carolina Primary
A North Carolina congressional primary on Tuesday serves as an early test of datacenter politics, a contentious issue increasingly shaping elections across the United States. In the Durham-area fourth district, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee is seeking her third term against progressive challenger Nida Allam, a Durham county commissioner she previously defeated in 2022.
Heated Rematch Amid Datacenter Battle
The heated rematch unfolds against the backdrop of a major datacenter battle in the district. Allam has staunchly opposed a massive new proposed facility and supports a federal datacenter moratorium. Foushee, meanwhile, stated she does not personally support the new development but believes datacenter decisions should be left to local leaders rather than federal ones.
Until mid-February, Allam's campaign donations significantly outpaced Foushee's, thanks to support from Pacs such as Justice Democrats and gun control activist David Hogg's Leaders We Deserve. However, in the last two weeks, the financial landscape has shifted dramatically as major Pacs have rushed to back the incumbent.
Super Pac Funding and AI Links
Chief among these is Jobs and Democracy, a Super Pac whose sole disclosed donor is Anthropic, the AI firm behind Claude. The group has spent approximately $1.6 million on Foushee's re-election campaign since February 21. Although Anthropic has no known links to the local datacenter proposal, opposition to it has left some residents skeptical of all political funding tied to big tech.
Anthropic brands itself as safety-focused, recently making headlines for refusing the Pentagon's demand for unfettered use of its products, though its tools have reportedly been used in strikes on Iran. The company has backed some state AI safeguards and last year helped defeat a federal ban on state AI regulations.
Part of the broader network Public First Action, the Jobs and Democracy Super Pac was created to support leaders who protect against the risks of unregulated AI, according to spokesperson Anthony Rivera-Rodriguez. However, Allam dismissed this idea as laughable, comparing it to allowing children to dictate their own bedtime.
Constituent Concerns and Environmental Impact
Foushee's Anthropic-linked funding has drawn sharp criticism from constituents opposing Maryland-based Natelli Investments' plan to build a sprawling 190-acre datacenter near Apex, 20 miles southwest of Raleigh. The proposal has sparked pushback over energy and water use, with concerns about toxic emissions and climate impacts. Approximately 5,000 people have signed a petition opposing it.
Michelle O'Connor, a resident with a health sciences PhD living near the site, highlighted issues such as electricity, water, air quality, health, and noise pollution, questioning the benefits for Apex. The two Democratic candidates have responded differently: Foushee, endorsed by groups like the League of Conservation Voters, trusts local leaders to make the right choice, while Allam argues for federal intervention to slow AI's rapid expansion.
Policy Positions and Moratorium Calls
Allam, endorsed by the Sunrise Movement and Justice Democrats, has rallied alongside residents against the Apex proposal and supports a 10-year national moratorium on datacenters. She believes this pause would allow for regulations on water recycling and clean energy supplies, protecting working-class communities. Foushee, appointed to co-chair a bipartisan AI commission, argues that a national moratorium could have unintended consequences, such as hindering hospital infrastructure.
Foushee stated she will push for datacenter regulations in Congress, including land-use policies to hold corporations accountable. Critics, however, say accepting tech-linked Super Pac funding undermines her message. Usamah Andrabi of Justice Democrats noted that relying on such money conflicts with having constituents' best interests in mind.
Broader Implications and Money in Politics
The Apex datacenter reflects broader concerns about AI's expansion, with potential daily water consumption of up to 1 million gallons and significant electricity demands. Bill Dam, a retired environmental scientist, warned about toxic emissions from backup diesel generators. Allam emphasized that residents are skeptical of politicians funded by the industries they aim to regulate, though she acknowledged the U.S. should lead in AI development responsibly.
Foushee has faced past criticism for accepting funding from pro-Israel lobbies and a Super Pac linked to Sam Bankman-Fried, but she has taken steps to address these concerns. As the primary approaches, the race underscores the complex interplay between technology, environmental policy, and campaign finance in modern elections.
