Donalds & Jolly Clash on Florida Data Center Regulations

Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds and Democratic nominee David Jolly hold opposing views on regulating Florida's data centers and their access to public resources. Donalds proposes new regulations that would prohibit data centers from using public power and water, requiring them to secure private alternatives. His campaign has defended his acceptance of campaign funds from data center industry stakeholders, stating he draws contributions from diverse sources and is not influenced by donors.

Donalds, in a June campaign ad, asserted, "You don’t want to pay for AI data centers and when I’m governor, you won’t." He added, "As governor, I’ll fight for a ratepayer protection plan. Because in my Florida, if you don’t protect our pocketbooks and our people, you won’t build data centers." A July congressional proposal from Donalds also aimed to prevent data centers from utilizing the public electric grid or water system.

Conversely, Jolly advocates for a stricter approach. If elected governor, Jolly plans to sign an executive order on his first day in office enacting a one-year moratorium on data center construction. This moratorium would allow time to commission studies on the environmental and economic impacts of these facilities.

Jolly has expressed openness to a permanent ban, telling the Times/Herald, "I anticipate that could lead to a full ban. The bottom line is I don’t think we need data centers in the state of Florida." He has also criticized Donalds' position by labeling him "data center Donalds." The debate highlights a significant policy difference between the two candidates as they compete for the governor's office, impacting Florida's infrastructure and economic development.