Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson criticized a private National Republican Senatorial Committee memo focused on data centers, describing its message as “alarmist in tone” as Republicans prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.
Hutchinson, a Republican, appeared on NewsNation with host Blake Burman and said GOP candidates need to establish their positions on the growing number of data centers before the issue becomes an even bigger political liability.
“The NRSC memo was almost alarmist in tone, which is concerning in and of itself,” Hutchinson said.
“Republican candidates need to define themselves on the issue of data centers and their expansions and building them in our communities before they are defined on it and before it becomes a bigger issue,” he added.
The NRSC memo, titled “Ohio Data Center Risk,” was sent to artificial intelligence companies and warned about the potential political consequences surrounding the issue.
According to the memo, a loss by incumbent Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown could signal Ohio voters’ negative feelings toward data centers.
The NRSC urged companies to quickly make a stronger case to the public, including explaining who benefits from data centers, who is responsible for higher costs and why communities should support having the facilities nearby.
Polling has shown significant opposition to data center construction. A Public First survey conducted in July found that 41% of respondents would oppose having a data center built near them.
Burman asked Hutchinson whether the backlash could lead Republicans to move closer to Democrats on the issue heading into November.
“I think they’ll be very careful in what they say,” Hutchinson responded.
He predicted Republicans would support data centers provided communities maintain local control and residential electricity customers are not forced to shoulder their costs.
“They pay their own way,” Hutchinson said.
The former governor pointed to concerns about the amount of water and energy consumed by data centers as a potential explanation for their unpopularity in places such as Ohio.
Hutchinson said governors previously viewed attracting data centers as an economic opportunity and competed to bring the facilities into their states.
But the political environment has changed.
“Now it becomes a controversial issue that you better be able to articulate clearly that you don’t want consumers to be paying for it and harmed,” Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson also highlighted President Donald Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which was announced in March.
More than 300 companies have signed the pledge, which requires companies involved in constructing data center infrastructure to cover the full energy costs associated with their projects.
EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, a data center developer operating in California and Virginia, became the latest company to join the pledge on Aug. 13.
