Politics

Politics

Documented positions, legislative records, and candidate proposals on artificial intelligence restrictions across federal, state, and local offices.

By Jonathan West · Last updated 2026-11-05

Dozens of elected officials and candidates across federal, state, and municipal offices have formally proposed or enacted defined limits on artificial intelligence. These policies span conditional data center construction pauses, advanced frontier-model pauses, superintelligence prohibitions, and bans on specific algorithmic applications.

Positions vary widely in legal force and scope. An introduced bill in Congress or a candidate questionnaire response does not carry the force of enacted statutory law. The Ban the Bots database records individual policy instruments, legislative statuses, and source evidence without inferring broader views or party-wide stances.

Candidates and Elected Officials

332 people

Photo credits · CC BY-SA 4.0

Michigan · Democratic

Abdul El-Sayed

Former Detroit and Wayne County public-health director; Associated Press (AP) reported Michigan U.S. Senate winner, not a sitting senator

Office Sought: U.S. Senate

Advanced AI PauseSuperintelligence BanAI Use RestrictionAI Accountability Rules

Campaign materials propose a freeze on frontier AI training and release, a permanent superintelligence ban, public governance and conditional data-center terms, and none is enacted federal law.

In October 2026, the Michigan Senate candidate proposed his comprehensive platform calling for a frontier-model pause, a superintelligence ban, and breach auditing.

Individual proposal or government action

Read Abdul El-Sayed’s Profile

North Carolina · Unaffiliated

Abigail Pepper

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Monroe City Council

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 54

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Kansas · Democratic

Adam Hamilton

United Methodist pastor; Church of the Resurrection founding senior pastor

Office Sought: U.S. Senate

AI Accountability Rules

In his campaign homepage, Hamilton advocated for binding developer rules requiring data centers to cover their own electric utility infrastructure costs rather than shifting expenses onto local household ratepayers.

Individual policy statement

North Carolina · Democratic

Adam Hege

2026 candidate

Office Sought: County Commissioner, Watauga County

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 31

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Arizona · Democratic

Adelita Grijalva

U.S. Representative, Arizona's 7th District (Democratic Party)

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI PauseData Center Moratorium

Adelita Grijalva cosponsored bills for a conditional pause on advanced AI and a superintelligence ban, and she voted yes on a House bill to help businesses use AI.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Adelita Grijalva’s Profile

North Carolina · Democratic

Aida Havel

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Dare County Commissioner at Large

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 30

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New York · Democratic

Alex Bores

State Assemblymember; 2026 U.S. House candidate

Office Sought: U.S. House, New York District 12

AI Accountability RulesAI Use Restriction

In February 2026, Bores released a national policy framework proposing federal data-center community safeguards, worker protections, and independent safety standards while supporting domestic technological competitiveness.

Individual official or campaign proposal

Read Alex Bores’s Profile

California · Democratic

Alex Padilla

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

New York · Not established

Alexa Avilés

New York City councilmember

AI Use Restriction

In September 2026, Council Member Avilés sponsored Resolution 0658-2026 urging New York State to enact legislation barring student-facing classroom artificial intelligence before high school.

Individual policy record

New York · Democratic

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

U.S. Representative, New York's 14th congressional district

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI PauseData Center Moratorium

Formal support for a conditional pause on advanced AI and a superintelligence ban, shown through sponsored and cosponsored bills with no recorded enactment.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Profile

North Carolina · Democratic

Alissa Redmond

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Rowan County Board of Commissioner

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 101

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Amanda Johnson-Anthony

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Rural Hall Town Council

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 41

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Ohio · Democratic

Amy Acton

Former Ohio health director

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

In July 2026, the gubernatorial candidate issued a statement endorsing a conditional moratorium on new data centers until developers meet labor, environmental, and grid-cost standards.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Unaffiliated

Amy Robinette

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Edgecombe County Commissioner, District 6 — Write-In Candidate

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 83

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New Jersey · Democratic

Analilia Mejia

U.S. Representative, New Jersey's 11th district (won April 16, 2026 special election; current office)

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI PauseData Center Moratorium

Mejia cosponsored H.R. 10538 as an original cosponsor and H.R. 9442, backing a superintelligence ban, a conditional advanced-AI pause and a data center moratorium, and neither bill is enacted.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Analilia Mejia’s Profile

North Carolina · Democratic

Andy Bowline

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC State Senate, District 31

AI Use RestrictionData Center MoratoriumMixed Record

Multiple Responses With Different Selections

Questionnaire Selections

Response 14

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Response 109

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Submission dates are unavailable; the responses do not establish which position is current.

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Maryland · Democratic

Angela Alsobrooks

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

North Carolina · Republican

Angela Edwards

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Mecklenburg Commissioner District 2

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 111

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New Jersey · Democratic

Annette Quijano

State assemblymember, District 20

Data Center Moratorium

Assemblywoman Quijano cosponsored New Jersey Assembly Bill 5482 in September 2026, proposing a six-month moratorium on approvals and public subsidies for large AI data centers exceeding 10 megawatts.

Individual policy record

South Carolina · Democratic

Annie Andrews

Pediatrician, clinical professor and children’s-health advocate

Office Sought: U.S. Senate

Data Center MoratoriumAI Accountability RulesAI Use Restriction

During her 2026 campaign, Andrews called for a two-year moratorium on data center approvals and keeping developer costs off family power bills.

Individual proposal or government action

Maryland · Democratic

April McClain Delaney

U.S. Representative, District 6

AI Use Restriction

In October 2026, Representative McClain Delaney joined a congressional letter requesting a temporary pause on the Federal Aviation Administration SMART air-traffic AI deployment pending safety and staffing reviews.

Individual named co-lead and direct statement; not a legislative roll call

North Carolina · Democratic

Ashley Bell

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC - 10th Congressional District

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 11

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Minnesota · Not established

Aurin Chowdhury

Minneapolis councilmember, Ward 12

Data Center Moratorium

Council Member Chowdhury sponsored Minneapolis's May 2026 six-month data center moratorium and detailed her legislative priorities for ongoing size caps and conditional-use approvals in August 2026.

Individual policy record

Montana · Not established

Austin Knudsen

Attorney General

AI Use RestrictionAI Accountability Rules

The attorney general office initiated a consumer protection lawsuit reported in October 2026 against OpenAI.

Attorney general office legal filing; allegations and requested protections

New Jersey · Democratic

Balvir Singh

State assemblymember, District 7

Data Center Moratorium

Assemblyman Singh cosponsored New Jersey Assembly Bill 5482 in September 2026, proposing a temporary six-month construction and subsidy moratorium on data centers drawing over 10 megawatts.

Individual policy record

New Mexico · Democratic

Ben Ray Luján

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

Vermont · Independent

Bernie Sanders

U.S. Senator from Vermont

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI PauseData Center Moratorium

Sponsors Senate bills for a conditional advanced-AI pause, a superintelligence ban and a data-center moratorium, none enacted, plus a public ownership proposal.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Bernie Sanders’s Profile

North Carolina · Green

Bo Whitehead

2026 candidate

Office Sought: U.S. House Of Representatives District 8

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 69

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Pennsylvania · Democratic

Bob Harvie

Bucks County commissioner and chair; former teacher and Falls Township supervisor

Office Sought: U.S. House

Data Center MoratoriumAI Use Restriction

In his congressional campaign platform, Harvie proposed a community pause on new data center construction until local utility costs, water use, and job standards are fully evaluated.

Individual proposal or government action

New Jersey · Democratic

Bonnie Watson Coleman

U.S. Representative, New Jersey's 12th Congressional District (current)

Data Center Moratorium

Bonnie Watson Coleman is an original cosponsor of H.R. 9442, a proposed moratorium on construction and upgrades of covered AI data centers, and she recorded yea votes on two AI-related House bills.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Bonnie Watson Coleman’s Profile

North Carolina · Independent

Brian McGinnis

2026 candidate

Office Sought: US House Congressional District 2

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 48

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Brian Rupp

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Brunswick Co Board of Education D5

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 58

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Minnesota · Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Brion Curran

State representative, District 36B

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Curran authored Minnesota House File 4888 in May 2026, proposing a temporary statutory moratorium on new data center permitting pending a state Public Utilities Commission grid study.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Brittany Newton

2026 candidate

Office Sought: North Carolina's 46th House District

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 93

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Broad Agency Discretion to Adopt AI
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Republican

Cameron McGill

2026 candidate

Office Sought: County Commissioner

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 47

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Carly Pugh

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Haywood County Commissioner

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 107

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Pennsylvania · Democratic

Carolyn Comitta

State senator

Data Center Moratorium

In August 2026, State Senator Comitta issued a public statement backing strong guardrails in the governor's executive order and supporting a statewide data center moratorium to enable comprehensive municipal planning.

Individual policy record

Nevada · Democratic

Catherine Cortez Masto

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

North Carolina · Democratic

Charlie Wallin

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House 93

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 67

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Chris Bishopp

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House District 82

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 12

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Maryland · Democratic

Chris Van Hollen

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

North Carolina · Democratic

Christina Jones

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Raleigh City Council

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center MoratoriumMixed Record

Multiple Responses With Different Selections

Questionnaire Selections

Response 42

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Response 115

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Submission dates are unavailable; the responses do not establish which position is current.

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Oregon · Republican

Christine Drazan

Oregon state senator; former House minority leader

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

In September 2026 gubernatorial campaign coverage, Drazan was reported as supporting an immediate pause on new data center development.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Christine Kushner

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Wake County Commissioner At Large

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 95

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Pennsylvania · Democratic

Christopher Deluzio

U.S. Representative, Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI Pause

Deluzio cosponsored H.R. 10538 to pause advanced AI and ban superintelligence, voted yea on the TAKE IT DOWN Act and AI for Main Street Act, and the inspected sources show no recorded vote against an AI policy.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Christopher Deluzio’s Profile

North Carolina · Democratic

Chuck Hubbard

2026 candidate

Office Sought: US house representative for NC-05

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 33

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New Hampshire · Democratic

Cinde Warmington

Former New Hampshire executive councilor

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

In September 2026, Cinde Warmington issued a campaign release pledging a day-one temporary moratorium on data center construction.

Individual proposal or government action

Kansas · Democratic

Cindy Holscher

Kansas state senator

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

Holscher's campaign policy platform supports a moratorium on new giant corporate data centers until community and resource guardrails exist.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Clark Rinehart

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Raleigh City Council

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 56

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Broad Agency Discretion to Adopt AI
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Kentucky · Not established

Clifton Parsley

Cave City mayor-elect

Specific Project Opposition

As an incoming mayor and council member, Parsley backed Cave City's 12-month data center moratorium and said in November 2026 that opposing proposed data-center development in city limits is a priority.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Cyril Jefferson

2026 candidate

Office Sought: U.S. House District 6

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 40

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

D. Matthew Bailey

2026 candidate

Office Sought: N.C. House Seat 28

AI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 87

  • Continued AI Data-Center Development
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Maryland · Republican

Dan Cox

Former Maryland state delegate

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

In an August 2026 interview, Cox advocated an immediate halt on mega data center approvals; in October he sought a mega-center ban.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Republican

Daniel Holder

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Rowan Salisbury School Board

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 100

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

David Batts

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Edgecombe County Commissioner Dist-6

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 10

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Wisconsin · Democratic

David Crowley

Milwaukee County Executive

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

Crowley supports a conditional pause on new data-center projects until environmental review and firm guardrails are in place, according to a campaign spokesperson reported by WPR.

In October 2026, Crowley's gubernatorial campaign told Wisconsin Public Radio that the campaign supports working with lawmakers to pause new data center projects during an ongoing state environmental review.

Individual proposal or government action

Read David Crowley’s Profile

Florida · Democratic

David Jolly

Former Republican U.S. representative

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

During his gubernatorial campaign, Jolly, with running mate Gwen Graham, promised a day-one hyperscale-data-center moratorium, per his campaign platform.

Individual proposal or government action

New Mexico · Democratic

Deb Haaland

Former U.S. interior secretary and U.S. representative

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

In a September 2026 campaign statement reported by The Candle, Haaland endorsed a temporary moratorium on large-scale data centers pending water protections and utility safeguards.

Individual proposal or government action

New York · Democratic

Didi Barrett

State assemblymember

Data Center Moratorium

Assemblymember Barrett sponsored New York Assembly Bill 11560 in June 2026, proposing a one-year large-data-center permit pause and study.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Republican

Don Sigmon

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Catawba County School Board

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 62

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Republican

Donnie Loftis

2026 candidate

Office Sought: District 109, NC House of Representatives

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

Selections Include Continued Development and a Pause or Ban

Questionnaire Selections

Response 44

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Continued AI Data-Center Development
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Alabama · Democratic

Doug Jones

Former U.S. senator

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

At an October 2026 town hall reported by the Alabama Reflector, former Senator Jones endorsed a one-year data center pause, public disclosures, and an end to state tax subsidies.

Individual proposal or government action

Washington · Not established

Eddie Lin

Seattle councilmember, District 2

Data Center Moratorium

Councilmember Lin sponsored Seattle Council Bill 121214, which unanimously passed in June 2026 as an emergency temporary data-center siting moratorium defined at 20 megavolt-amperes.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Not established

Edmund H. Driggs

Charlotte City Council District7

Data Center Moratorium

Council Member Driggs served on the committee that unanimously recommended Charlotte's moratorium extension, which the full council approved on October 26, 2026, to pause data center approvals through October 2027.

Individual policy record

Massachusetts · Democratic

Elizabeth Warren

U.S. Senator

Advanced AI PauseInternational AI Restraint

On September 16, 2026, Senator Warren issued a formal statement calling for an immediate pause on advanced artificial intelligence development while lawmakers and regulators establish protections and stronger congressional guardrails.

Individual official or campaign statement; specific scope and status

Delaware · Republican

Eric Buckson

State senator

Data Center Moratorium

Buckson sponsored Delaware Senate Bill 353 in June 2026, proposing a temporary moratorium on large data center permit applications through January 31, 2027; a motion to suspend the rules failed 6 to 15.

Individual policy record

Maryland · Not established

Evan Glass

Montgomery County councilmember

Data Center Moratorium

Councilmember Glass sponsored Montgomery County Bill 19-26E, which was enacted unanimously and took effect August 10, 2026, to establish a temporary building-permit moratorium on data centers.

Individual policy record

Wisconsin · Democratic

Francesca Hong

Wisconsin state representative; defeated gubernatorial primary candidate

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumAI Use RestrictionAI Accountability Rules

In her 2026 campaign platform, Hong proposed a one-year pause on new data centers and bans on specified police AI, algorithmic rent collusion, and workplace surveillance.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Frank Hughes

2026 candidate

Office Sought: State Senate District 47

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 35

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Unaffiliated

Fred Crawford

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Chairman, Swain County board of commissioners

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 76

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Photo credits · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tennessee · Democratic; nonpartisan mayoral office

Freddie O’Connell

Nashville mayor

Data Center Moratorium

Executive Order 59, dated June 15, 2026, backs expedited Council consideration of a temporary data-center moratorium and directs a departmental impact review, but the order does not itself enact a moratorium.

In June 2026, Mayor O'Connell signed Nashville Executive Order 59, directing municipal agencies to prepare a regulatory framework and draft a temporary moratorium on large data center construction.

Individual policy record

Read Freddie O’Connell’s Profile

Arkansas · Democratic

Fredrick Love

Arkansas state senator

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

Senator Love sponsored Arkansas Interim Resolution 2025-008, which was referred for legislative committee study in August 2026 to assess a statewide data center permitting moratorium.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Republican

Gary Parris

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Office of Sheriff Buncombe County NC

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 53

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Voluntary Efficiency Instead of State or Local Regulation
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Gavin McGaughey

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House District65

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionMixed Record

Multiple Responses With Different Selections

Questionnaire Selections

Response 46

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Response 82

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Submission dates are unavailable; the responses do not establish which position is current.

Self-reported questionnaire selections

California · Democratic

Gavin Newsom

Governor of California (second term began 2023)

AI Accountability RulesAI Use RestrictionMixed Record

Newsom vetoed SB1047 in 2024 and has since signed targeted AI measures for workers and children, while his September 2026 order requests kill-switch recommendations rather than an immediate universal mandate.

In September 2026, Governor Newsom issued an executive order to accelerate independent oversight protocols and study emergency kill switches for frontier models, following an earlier veto of SB 1047.

Individual official or campaign statement; specific scope and status

Read Gavin Newsom’s Profile

Texas · Democratic

Gina Hinojosa

Texas state representative, District 49

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Hinojosa issued an August 2026 campaign statement advocating for a data center construction pause until the Texas Legislature acts.

Individual proposal or government action

Texas · Republican

Greg Abbott

Governor of Texas

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

In September 2026, Governor Abbott issued a state directive ordering the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to halt new data center permits pending regional grid and water-board evaluations.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Greg Drumwright

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Guilford County Commissioners At-Large

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 90

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Hannah Addair

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Rowan County Board of Commissioners

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center MoratoriumMixed Record

Multiple Responses With Different Selections

Questionnaire Selections

Response 3

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Response 106

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Submission dates are unavailable; the responses do not establish which position is current.

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Maine · Democratic

Hannah Pingree

Former Maine House speaker; former state policy-office director

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

In June 2026 candidate responses reported by the Portland Press Herald, Pingree said she would sign legislation like LD307 temporarily pausing new data centers.

Individual proposal or government action

Photo credits · CC BY 2.0

New York · Democratic / Working Families

Jabari Brisport

New York State Senator, District 25

AI Use Restriction

Brisport is individually listed as voting aye on S10642, a bill that would pause new large data center permits for one year, and he endorsed New York City's student-facing AI limits.

State Senator Brisport supported New York City's classroom AI moratorium in September 2026, endorsing a one-year ban with selective pilots.

Individual policy record

Read Jabari Brisport’s Profile

Nevada · Democratic

Jacky Rosen

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

Minnesota · Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Jake Johnson

Rochester high-school math teacher and union representative

Office Sought: U.S. House

Data Center Moratorium

In his congressional platform, Johnson announced a policy plan calling for a data center construction pause until developers pay full costs.

Individual proposal or government action

Texas · Democratic

James Talarico

Texas state representative; former public-school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian

Office Sought: U.S. Senate

AI Accountability RulesAI Use RestrictionMixed Record

State Representative Talarico published a comprehensive technology platform proposing local veto authority over data centers, bans on algorithmic rent-setting, and statutory safeguards for minors and workers.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Jamie Ager

Farmer and Hickory Nut Gap cofounder

Office Sought: U.S. House

AI Accountability RulesAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium

During his 2026 campaign, Ager expressed support in public statements for a short-term pause on new data center permitting pending clear community protections.

Questionnaire Selections

Response 4

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Jane Harrison

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Raleigh City Council District D

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 27

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Janene Ackles

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House 43

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 105

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Minnesota · Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Jay Xiong

State representative, District 67B

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Xiong authored Minnesota House File 4888 in May 2026, which proposed a statutory moratorium on new data center permitting pending a state Public Utilities Commission report.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Green

Jeanine Couto

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Guilford County Commissioner District 3

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 18

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Louisiana · Republican

Jeff Landry

Governor of Louisiana

AI Use RestrictionMixed Record

In October 2025, Governor Landry issued an order barring hostile-foreign-government artificial intelligence systems from state government and public school networks, while earlier vetoing political deepfake legislation.

Individual proposal or government action

Oregon · Democratic

Jeff Merkley

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

North Carolina · Republican

Jeffrey Hoagland

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Orange county commissioner at large

AI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 32

  • Continued AI Data-Center Development
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Voluntary Efficiency Instead of State or Local Regulation
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Jen Wiles

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 70

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New York · Democratic

Jennifer Gutiérrez

New York City councilmember

AI Use Restriction

Council Member Gutiérrez publicly supported New York City's classroom AI policy in September 2026, backing the absence of student-facing AI for the youngest pupils.

Individual policy record

Michigan · Republican

Jennifer Wortz

State representative

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Wortz introduced Michigan House Bills 5594 through 5596 in February 2026, proposing a data center construction pause through April 1, 2027, for public input.

Individual policy record

South Carolina · Democratic

Jermaine Johnson

South Carolina state representative

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Johnson advocated in a candidate interview for a statewide data center moratorium until the South Carolina legislature addresses resource and job concerns.

Individual proposal or government action

Tennessee · Democratic

Jerri Green

Memphis city council member

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

In an August 2026 policy essay, Green called for a pause on new data centers pending water, energy, environment, infrastructure, jobs and local-zoning rules.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Jesse Alden

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Catawba County Commissioner

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 5

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Illinois · Democratic

Jesús García

U.S. Representative, Illinois's 4th congressional district

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI PauseData Center Moratorium

Jesús García has cosponsored House bills that would restrict advanced AI and AI data centers, and he voted yea on the enacted TAKE IT DOWN Act and the House-passed AI for Main Street Act.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Jesús García’s Profile

North Carolina · Democratic

Jim Harris

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House D16

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 25

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New York · Democratic

Jo Anne Simon

State assemblymember

AI Use Restriction

Assemblymember Simon supported New York City's classroom AI moratorium in September 2026, advocating a school AI pause with carefully chosen pilots and accessibility exceptions.

Individual policy record

Michigan · Democratic

Jocelyn Benson

Michigan secretary of state

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

In her gubernatorial campaign platform, Benson endorsed a conditional moratorium on new data centers until binding community agreements guarantee water protections, grid-cost coverage, and union jobs.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Joe Parfitt

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Hd52

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 52

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Michigan · Republican

John James

U.S. representative; Michigan gubernatorial nominee

Office Sought: Governor

Mixed RecordHistorical Moratorium Support

After an earlier campaign position supporting a moratorium pending standards, James stated in an October 2026 interview that he opposes a statewide moratorium in favor of local community decisions.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Republican

John M. Crowell

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Chatham County Board of Commissioners District4

AI Accountability RulesAI Use RestrictionMixed Record

Multiple Responses With Different Selections

Questionnaire Selections

Response 19

  • Continued AI Data-Center Development
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Response 97

  • Continued AI Data-Center Development
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Submission dates are unavailable; the responses do not establish which position is current.

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Republican

John Whichard

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Halifax County Commissioner At-large

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 108

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Alaska · Democratic

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins

Former Alaska state representative

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumAI Use RestrictionAI Accountability Rules

In July 2026, the Alaska gubernatorial candidate released a technology platform proposing a moratorium on new data centers alongside statutory AI liability rules and deepfake restrictions.

Individual proposal or government action

Vermont · Democratic

Joseph Major

State senator

Data Center Moratorium

Senator Major sponsored Vermont Senate Bill 205 in January 2026, proposing a temporary moratorium on AI data centers and a report; it was referred to Finance.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Republican

Joseph Perrotta

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House District 60

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

Selections Include Continued Development and a Pause or Ban

Questionnaire Selections

Response 86

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Continued AI Data-Center Development
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Republican

Josh Shank

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Granville County Commissioner - District 7

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 96

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Photo credits · CC BY 2.0

Pennsylvania · Democratic

Josh Shapiro

Governor of Pennsylvania (in office since January 17, 2023)

AI Accountability RulesAI Use RestrictionMixed Record

Shapiro's documented record pairs data-center review and consumer safeguards with proposed frontier AI oversight, and it supports selective restrictions rather than universal opposition to AI.

In August 2026, Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2026-05: new data-center applications over 25 MW may enter an optional GRID consent-order rolling review, while applications from non-signers are reviewed together after local approvals and water authorizations, with no permit guarantee. Its NDA restriction covers governor-jurisdiction agencies only. On May 5, 2026, the Department of State announced a lawsuit against Character.AI alleging unauthorized medical practice; these are allegations, not court findings.

Individual official or campaign statement; specific scope and status

Read Josh Shapiro’s Profile

Iowa · Democratic

Josh Turek

Iowa House District 20 representative, former professional wheelchair basketball player and Paralympian

Office Sought: U.S. Senate

Data Center SafeguardsAI Accountability Rules

In an October 2026 debate reported by KSCJ, Representative Turek stated his opposition to a federal data center moratorium, favoring local siting decisions and grid safeguards.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Socialist Party USA / Green

Joshua Bradley

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Raleigh CIty Council At Large

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 15

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Washington · Not established

Joy Hollingsworth

Seattle council president, District 3

Data Center Moratorium

Councilmember Hollingsworth sponsored Seattle Council Bill 121214, which unanimously passed in June 2026 as an emergency temporary data-center siting moratorium defined at 20 megavolt-amperes.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Julia Greenfield

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NCGA Representative

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 24

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Julie Mayfield

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC Senate District 49

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 102

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New York · Not established

Jumaane D. Williams

New York City public advocate

AI Use Restriction

Public Advocate Williams supported New York City's classroom AI policy in September 2026, backing a student-facing generative model ban for younger grades alongside ongoing regulatory reviews.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Karen Stegman

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Orange County Board of County Commission, At Large Seat

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 64

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New York · Democratic

Kathy Hochul

Governor of New York

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

In July 2026, Governor Hochul signed Executive Order 62 holding pending or future state environmental permit applications not deemed complete before July 14, 2026, for covered data centers of 50 megawatts or more with high-density servers and year-round cooling, until final generic environmental review findings are delivered.

Individual proposal or government action

Read Kathy Hochul’s Profile

Washington · Not established

Katie B. Wilson

Seattle mayor

Data Center Moratorium

In June 2026, the Seattle Mayor publicly endorsed Council Bill 121214, supporting an emergency temporary data-center siting moratorium.

Individual policy record

Texas · Democratic

Katy Padilla Stout

Child-welfare attorney; former teacher; appointed child-welfare board member

Office Sought: U.S. House

Data Center MoratoriumAI Accountability Rules

In an August 2026 questionnaire, congressional candidate Padilla Stout endorsed a temporary moratorium on new data centers until community voice and enforceable safeguards are in place.

Individual proposal or government action

Alabama · Republican

Kay Ivey

Governor of Alabama

AI Use RestrictionMixed Record

In March 2025, Governor Ivey signed an executive policy memorandum prohibiting DeepSeek, Manus, and similar technologies from state government networks and agency devices.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Green

Keenen Altic

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC Senate District 32

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 6

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Georgia · Democratic

Keisha Lance Bottoms

Former Atlanta mayor

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

During an October 2026 gubernatorial town hall reported by Atlanta News First, Bottoms called for pausing new data center construction until a statewide plan and public and expert input are established.

Individual proposal or government action

New Hampshire · Republican

Kelly Ayotte

Governor of New Hampshire; former U.S. senator

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

In an October 2026 forum reported by The Dartmouth, Ayotte endorsed a legislative data center moratorium through the upcoming state budget or standalone statutory action.

Individual proposal or government action

Oklahoma · Republican

Kendal Sacchieri

State senator

Data Center Moratorium

Senator Sacchieri filed Oklahoma Senate Bill 1488 in January 2026, proposing to pause construction of new data centers through November 1, 2029, pending state utility studies.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Khem Irby

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Board of Education for District 6

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 39

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Kim Roney

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Mayor of Asheville

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 57

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Photo credits · CC BY 4.0

New York · Democratic / Working Families

Kristen Gonzalez

State senator, District 59

Data Center Moratorium

Gonzalez sponsors a proposed temporary large-data-center approval pause and reports separate chatbot protections for minors.

State Senator Gonzalez sponsored the Responsible Data Center Development Act, Senate Bill 10642, which passed both legislative chambers in June 2026 to pause facility permits above 20 megawatts.

Individual policy record

Read Kristen Gonzalez’s Profile

North Carolina · Republican

Kyle Stogoski

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Wake County Commissioner At-Large

AI Data Center BanData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 114

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

LaKesha Womack

2026 candidate

Office Sought: 14th Congressional District

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 72

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New Jersey · Democratic

LaMonica McIver

U.S. Representative, New Jersey's 10th District (Congressional Directory, February 20, 2026 edition)

Data Center Moratorium

Cosponsor of H.R. 9442, which would pause covered AI data center construction and upgrades until specified laws are in place, plus a yea vote on the AI for Main Street Act.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read LaMonica McIver’s Profile

North Carolina · Not established

LaWana Mayfield

Charlotte City Council At Large

Data Center Moratorium

Council Member Mayfield served on the committee that unanimously recommended Charlotte's moratorium extension, which the council approved on October 26, 2026, to pause data center approvals through October 2027.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Lee Childress

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Board of Education Forsyth County

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 16

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Minnesota · Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Leigh Finke

State representative, District 66A

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Finke authored Minnesota House File 4888 in May 2026, which proposed a statutory moratorium on new data center approvals pending a state Public Utilities Commission grid study.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

LeVon Barnes

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House 64

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 91

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Broad Agency Discretion to Adopt AI
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Minnesota · Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Liish Kozlowski

State representative, District 08B

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Kozlowski authored Minnesota House File 4888 in May 2026, introducing a temporary statutory moratorium on new data center permitting pending an official public utility study.

Individual policy record

New York · Democratic

Lincoln Restler

New York City councilmember

AI Use Restriction

Council Member Restler is a listed sponsor of New York City Resolution 0658-2026 and explicitly supports a one-year student-facing AI ban through eighth grade.

Individual policy record

Photo credits · CC BY 2.0

New York · Democratic / Working Families

Liz Krueger

New York State Senator, District 28

Data Center Moratorium

Krueger is a cosponsor and aye vote on S10642, a bill that would pause new large data center permits for one year and set longer-term utility and host community conditions.

State Senator Krueger reported in her June 2026 legislative report that her moratorium proposal S9144 was incorporated into Senate Bill 10642.

Individual policy record

Read Liz Krueger’s Profile

North Carolina · Democratic

Lorenza Wilkins

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House of Representatives District 25

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 71

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Lucille Puckett

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House District 91

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 110

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Broad Agency Discretion to Adopt AI
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Marcia Almond

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Chair, Board of Commissioners

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 81

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Washington · Democratic

Maria Cantwell

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

Maine · Democratic

Matt Dunlap

Maine state auditor; former secretary of state and state representative

Office Sought: U.S. House

AI Accountability RulesMixed Record

During an October 2026 congressional debate reported by the Bangor Daily News, Dunlap advocated slowing AI development because developers warn of risks, alongside environmental protections for infrastructure.

Individual proposal or government action

Minnesota · Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Matt Little

Attorney; former Lakeville mayor and state senator

Office Sought: U.S. House

Data Center MoratoriumAI Accountability Rules

During his congressional campaign, Little published an issue platform proposing a national ban on data center NDAs, local moratorium powers, and binding international safety agreements.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Libertarian

Matthew Clements

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House 56

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 17

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Voluntary Efficiency Instead of State or Local Regulation
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

California · Democratic

Maxine Waters

U.S. Representative, California's 43rd Congressional District

Data Center Moratorium

Waters is a cosponsor of H.R. 9442, which would halt construction and upgrades of covered artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, and she recorded yea votes on the AI for Main Street Act and the TAKE IT DOWN Act.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Maxine Waters’s Profile

Hawaii · Democratic

Mazie Hirono

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

Maine · Democratic

Melanie Sachs

State representative, Freeport

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Sachs sponsored Maine Legislative Document 307 proposing a temporary data center moratorium, which passed the legislature in April 2026 before facing an executive veto.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Green

Michael Dublin

2026 candidate

Office Sought: US Senate

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 21

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Delaware · Republican

Michael Smith

State representative

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Smith sponsored Delaware Senate Bill 353 in June 2026, which proposed a temporary statutory moratorium on large data center permit approvals through January 31, 2027.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Michelle Strong

2026 candidate

Office Sought: County Commissioner

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 80

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Massachusetts · Republican

Mike Minogue

Former medical-device company executive

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

In a September 2026 campaign statement, Minogue opposed expanding data centers in Massachusetts at this time, while promoting robotics, automation and AI-supported advanced manufacturing.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Mona Singh

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Wake County Commissioner

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 63

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Nate Baker

2026 candidate

Office Sought: City Council (current member)

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 7

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New York · Democratic

Nydia Velázquez

U.S. Representative, New York's 7th congressional district, as listed in the [2026 Congressional Directory](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CDIR-2026-02-20/pdf/CDIR-2026-02-20.pdf)

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI Pause

Velázquez is an original cosponsor of H.R. 10538, which would impose a conditional pause on advanced-AI training and ban superintelligence, and she voted yes on two House AI-related bills.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Nydia Velázquez’s Profile

North Carolina · Democratic

Park Inglefield

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC State House District 96

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 38

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Patricia Smith

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC HOUSE DISTRICT 23

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 92

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Washington · Democratic

Patty Murray

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

New York · Democratic

Paul Tonko

U.S. Representative, New York's 20th Congressional District (current office)

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI Pause

Paul Tonko is a later cosponsor of H.R. 10538, a proposed superintelligence ban with a conditional pause on advanced AI training, with no enactment recorded, and he voted yes on the House-passed AI for Main Street Act.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Paul Tonko’s Profile

Minnesota · Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Peggy Flanagan

Minnesota lieutenant governor since January 7, 2019; former House District 46A member

Office Sought: U.S. Senate

AI Use Restriction

In her published healthcare priorities, Flanagan pledged to propose statutory bans on insurance companies using automated artificial intelligence algorithms to deny medical care prescribed by licensed physicians.

Individual policy statement

North Carolina · Democratic

Peter Baker

2026 candidate

Office Sought: County commussioner

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 8

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Minnesota · Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Peter Fischer

State representative, District 44A

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Fischer authored Minnesota House File 4888 in May 2026, proposing a temporary statutory moratorium on new data center approvals pending an official Public Utilities Commission report.

Individual policy record

Vermont · Democratic

Peter Welch

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

New York · Not established

Phil Wong

New York City councilmember

AI Use Restriction

Council Member Wong sponsored New York City Resolution 0658-2026 in September 2026, urging the state legislature to bar student-facing artificial intelligence in classrooms before high school.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Pricey Harrison

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House District 61

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 26

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

R.A. Reaves

2026 candidate

Office Sought: County Commissioner

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 55

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

California · Democratic

Randy Villegas

Visalia Unified school-board trustee; political-science professor

Office Sought: U.S. House

Data Center MoratoriumAI Accountability Rules

In his congressional campaign platform, Villegas proposed a temporary pause on hyperscale data centers until transparent rules protect local water supplies, electrical rates, and community decision-making.

Individual proposal or government action

Georgia · Democratic

Raphael Warnock

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

Wisconsin · Democratic

Rebecca Cooke

Waitress; nonprofit founder; former small-business owner and WEDC board member

Office Sought: U.S. House

Data Center MoratoriumAI Use RestrictionAI Accountability Rules

In her congressional priorities, Cooke called for a pause on unchecked hyperscale data centers, the elimination of public tax incentives, and statutory bans on algorithmic surveillance pricing.

Individual proposal or government action

Vermont · Democratic

Rebecca White

State senator

Data Center Moratorium

Senator White sponsored Vermont Senate Bill 205 in January 2026, proposing a temporary statutory moratorium on AI data center construction pending a comprehensive state resource study.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Reid Barwick

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Henderson County Public Schools Board of Education

AI Data Center Ban
Questionnaire Selections

Response 9

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Not established

Reneé Perkins Johnson

Charlotte City Council District4

Data Center Moratorium

Council Member Perkins Johnson voted to recommend Charlotte's data center moratorium extension, which the council approved on October 26, 2026, to pause facility approvals through October 2027.

Individual policy record

Connecticut · Democratic

Richard Blumenthal

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

Maine · Independent

Rick Bennett

Maine state senator; former Republican

Office Sought: Governor

Advanced AI PauseData Center MoratoriumAI Use Restriction

In candidate surveys and an October 2026 interview, Bennett supported a temporary data center moratorium and called for pausing artificial intelligence development.

Individual proposal or government action

New York · Not established

Rita Joseph

New York City councilmember

AI Use Restriction

Council Member Joseph supported new age-specific AI policy, including a moratorium, in September 2026, favoring accountability and future review, per the classroom AI policy.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Robert "Spider" Thompson

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House District 89

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 65

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New York · Democratic / Working Families

Robert Carroll

State assemblymember

AI Use Restriction

Assemblymember Carroll introduced classroom artificial intelligence restrictions and joined an advisory panel supporting New York City's student-facing AI pause in September 2026.

Individual policy record

Maine · Republican

Robert Charles

Former U.S. assistant secretary of state

Office Sought: Governor

Mixed RecordHistorical Moratorium Support

In a June 30, 2026 candidate response published by the Portland Press Herald, Charles stated that he would sign legislation temporarily pausing new data center development.

Individual proposal or government action

Photo credits · CC BY 2.0

New York · Democratic / Working Families

Robert Jackson

New York State Senator, Senate District 31

AI Use Restriction

Robert Jackson sponsored S10133, which would bar artificial intelligence (AI) use in classrooms before ninth grade with exceptions, and co-sponsored S10642, a large data center bill that the bill page shows as passed by the Senate but not law.

State Senator Jackson sponsored New York Senate Bill 10133 in April 2026, proposing statutory restrictions on student-facing classroom artificial intelligence systems prior to the ninth grade.

Individual policy record

Read Robert Jackson’s Profile

North Carolina · Republican

Robert van Brederode

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Senate

AI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 66

  • Continued AI Data-Center Development
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Voluntary Efficiency Instead of State or Local Regulation
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Robin Stevens

2026 candidate

Office Sought: County Commissioner

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 112

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Rodney Pierce

2026 candidate

Office Sought: State Representative

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 119

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Rodney Sadler

2026 candidate

Office Sought: 106th District, NC House of Representatives

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 59

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Ronda Mays

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Forsyth County Board of Education At-Large

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 45

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Republican

Rupert W. Hasty, Jr.

2026 candidate

Office Sought: MARTIN DOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 29

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Photo credits · CC BY 3.0

Vermont · Democratic

Ruth Hardy

Vermont State Senator

Data Center Moratorium

Ruth Hardy is an additional sponsor of Vermont S.205, an introduced bill to bar defined AI data centers from operating, site preparation or construction before July 1, 2030, with no enactment shown.

Senator Hardy sponsored Vermont Senate Bill 205 in January 2026, proposing a temporary statutory moratorium on AI data centers pending a state resource impact report.

Individual policy record

Read Ruth Hardy’s Profile

Montana · Democratic

Sam Forstag

Former Forest Service smokejumper, union local vice president and organizer

Office Sought: U.S. House

AI Accountability RulesAI Use RestrictionData Center Safeguards

In his congressional policy platform, Forstag characterized powerful AI as potentially an existential risk and proposed strict federal oversight alongside mandatory power-replacement rules for data centers.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Samantha Krop

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 118

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Sana Siddiqui

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Raleigh City Council, At-large

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 61

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Infrastructure Investment Instead of Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Maryland · Democratic

Sarah Elfreth

U.S. Representative, District 3

AI Use Restriction

In October 2026, Representative Elfreth joined a congressional letter requesting a temporary pause on the Federal Aviation Administration SMART air-traffic AI deployment pending safety and staffing reviews.

Individual named co-lead and direct statement; not a legislative roll call

Mississippi · Democratic

Scott Colom

District Attorney; 2026 U.S. Senate candidate

Data Center MoratoriumAI Accountability Rules

In a September 2026 campaign statement, District Attorney Colom called for an immediate pause on new data center construction until developers pay full utility costs and deals are transparent.

Individual official or campaign proposal

Read Scott Colom’s Profile

North Carolina · Democratic

Scott Huffman

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC 76

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 34

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Vermont · Democratic

Seth Bongartz

State senator

Data Center Moratorium

Senator Bongartz sponsored Vermont Senate Bill 205 in January 2026, which proposed a temporary statutory moratorium on AI data center construction pending a legislative study.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Unaffiliated

Shaun McMillan

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Fayetteville City Council

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 49

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Republican

Shaun Morgan

2026 candidate

Office Sought: County Commissioner

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 78

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Independent

Shaunesi DeBerry

2026 candidate

Office Sought: U.S. SENATE

AI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 113

  • Continued AI Data-Center Development
  • Voluntary Efficiency Instead of State or Local Regulation
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Minnesota · Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Shelley Buck

State representative, District 47A

Data Center Moratorium

Representative Buck authored Minnesota House File 4888 in May 2026, proposing a temporary statutory moratorium on new data center permitting pending an official public utility report.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Shelly Headen

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House District 62

AI Use RestrictionData Center MoratoriumMixed Record

Multiple Responses With Different Selections

Questionnaire Selections

Response 74

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Response 85

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Submission dates are unavailable; the responses do not establish which position is current.

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Ohio · Democratic

Sherrod Brown

Former U.S. senator, U.S. representative and Ohio secretary of state

Office Sought: U.S. Senate

AI Accountability RulesMixed Record

In his published platform, Brown advocated for developer-funded grid costs, local siting authority, and an end to public subsidies for data centers, without endorsing an unconditional construction moratorium.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Southey Blanton

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC State Senate District 25

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 13

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Pennsylvania · Republican

Stacy Garrity

Pennsylvania state treasurer

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center SafeguardsMixed Record

In a June 2026 interview reported by WVIA, Treasurer Garrity endorsed a temporary pause on data center development while municipalities update local zoning codes.

Individual proposal or government action

Massachusetts · Democratic

Stephen Lynch

U.S. Representative, Massachusetts 8th District (Democratic)

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI Pause

Lynch is an original cosponsor of H.R. 10538, a bill that would impose a conditional pause on advanced-AI training and deployment and prohibit superintelligence, and he voted yea on two House AI bills.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Stephen Lynch’s Profile

Tennessee · Democratic

Steve Cohen

U.S. Representative, Tennessee's 9th congressional district (current)

Data Center Moratorium

Steve Cohen is a cosponsor of H.R. 9442, a conditional pause on covered AI data center construction and upgrades, and he voted yes on the AI for Main Street Act in the House.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Steve Cohen’s Profile

North Carolina · Republican

Steve Ganley

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Chatham County Board of Commissioners District 5

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 98

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Steve Rutherford

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC Senate District 43 (Gaston County)

AI Data Center BanMixed Record

Selections Include Both Rescinding and Expanding Developer Tax Incentives

Published under “Stwve Rutherford”; mapped to the ballot candidate by district and party. Submission authorship is unverified.

Questionnaire Selections

Response 75

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Expand Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Virginia · Democratic

Suhas Subramanyam

U.S. Representative, District 10

AI Use Restriction

In October 2026, Representative Subramanyam joined a congressional letter calling on the Federal Aviation Administration to pause its SMART air-traffic AI deployment until safety reviews are complete.

Individual named co-lead and direct statement; not a legislative roll call

South Dakota · Republican

Taffy Howard

State senator, District 34

Data Center Moratorium

In 2026, State Senator Howard sponsored South Dakota Senate Bill 232, proposing a statutory one-year moratorium on hyperscale data center construction through June 30, 2027, with narrow grandfathering exceptions.

Individual policy record

Illinois · Democratic

Tammy Duckworth

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

Photo credits · CC BY 3.0

Vermont · Progressive / Democratic

Tanya Vyhovsky

State senator, Vermont

Data Center Moratorium

Tanya Vyhovsky is an additional sponsor of Vermont S.205, an introduced bill to pause AI data centers above 100 megawatts of new load until July 1, 2030, and it has not been enacted.

Senator Vyhovsky sponsored Vermont Senate Bill 205 in January 2026, proposing a temporary statutory moratorium on AI data centers pending a state resource impact study.

Individual policy record

Read Tanya Vyhovsky’s Profile

North Carolina · Democratic

Tanya White Anderson

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC State Senate District 12

AI Data Center BanAI Use Restriction
Questionnaire Selections

Response 68

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

New Jersey · Democratic

Tennille R. McCoy

State assemblymember, District 14

Data Center Moratorium

Assemblywoman McCoy sponsored New Jersey Assembly Bill 5482 in September 2026, proposing a six-month moratorium on approvals and tax subsidies for large AI data centers exceeding 10 megawatts.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Unaffiliated

Terence Thomas

2026 candidate

Office Sought: Wake Water and Soil District Supervisor

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 117

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Alabama · Democratic

Terri Sewell

U.S. Representative, Alabama's 7th congressional district (current office in the 2026 Congressional Directory)

Data Center Moratorium

Terri Sewell cosponsored House bill H.R. 9442 to pause construction and upgrades of covered artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, and she says she is not anti-AI.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Terri Sewell’s Profile

Virginia · Democratic

Tim Kaine

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

North Dakota · Democratic-NPL

Tim Mathern

State senator, District 11 Fargo

Data Center Moratorium

In August 2026, State Senator Mathern delivered legislative testimony and endorsed a proposed one-year data center permitting moratorium alongside bans on non-disclosure agreements.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Democratic

Tim Merrick

2026 candidate

Office Sought: NC House 20

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 51

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Oregon · Democratic

Tina Kotek

Governor of Oregon

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center MoratoriumMixed Record

In September 2026, Governor Kotek issued a state directive pausing unapproved requests for state land to support new data centers through July 1, 2027.

Individual proposal or government action

Minnesota · Democratic

Tina Smith

U.S. senator

International AI Restraint

Negotiation Request; Possible Mutual Pause

Named letter signatory; no enacted pause established

California · Democratic; nonpartisan mayoral office

Todd Gloria

San Diego mayor

Data Center Moratorium

Executive Order 2026-2 directs San Diego staff to prepare data-center rules and a proposed temporary moratorium, and says the city does not aim to block artificial intelligence innovation.

In October 2026, Mayor Gloria issued an executive order directing city staff to prepare a proposed temporary data center moratorium for San Diego City Council consideration.

Individual policy record

Read Todd Gloria’s Profile

Michigan · Republican

Tom Leonard

Former Michigan House speaker; gubernatorial primary candidate

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Moratorium

In a February 2026 interview with WCMU, Leonard called for a one-year moratorium on data centers across Michigan alongside ending public subsidies and non-disclosure agreements.

Individual proposal or government action

Wisconsin · Republican

Tom Tiffany

U.S. Representative, Wisconsin District 7

Office Sought: Governor

Data Center Safeguards

In his gubernatorial campaign platform, Representative Tiffany set five standards for new Wisconsin data centers, including local final say, ending subsidies, and banning secret non-disclosure agreements.

Individual official or campaign statement; specific scope and status

Oregon · Democratic

Val Hoyle

U.S. Representative, Oregon's 4th Congressional District (119th Congress)

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI Pause

Formal support for a conditional advanced-AI pause and superintelligence ban through cosponsorship of H.R. 10538, plus yea votes on the TAKE IT DOWN Act and AI for Main Street Act.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Val Hoyle’s Profile

North Carolina · Democratic

Valerie Foushee

2026 candidate

Office Sought: North Carolina's 4th Congressional District

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 23

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Veleria M. Levy

2026 candidate

Office Sought: District 99 NC House Representative

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 94

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Dakota · Democratic-NPL

Vern Thompson

Agriculture commissioner candidate

Data Center Moratorium

In August 2026, Thompson participated in a campaign announcement proposing a one-year North Dakota data center permitting moratorium and a prohibition on public official non-disclosure agreements.

Individual policy record

North Carolina · Unaffiliated

Vicki Hyatt

2026 candidate

Office Sought: county commissioner

Data Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 37

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Broad Agency Discretion to Adopt AI
  • Statewide Government AI Standards
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

North Carolina · Democratic

Viola Harris

2026 candidate

Office Sought: County Commissioner

AI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 88

  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Maryland · Democratic

Wes Moore

Governor

AI Accountability RulesAI Use RestrictionMixed Record

In September 2026, Governor Moore announced a state AI framework recommending independent safety audits, whistleblower shields, and restrictions on algorithmic rent-setting alongside worker training programs.

Individual official or campaign statement; specific scope and status

Michigan · Democratic

Will Lawrence

Community and tenant organizer; Sunrise Movement cofounder

Office Sought: U.S. House

Advanced AI PauseData Center MoratoriumAI Use RestrictionAI Accountability Rules

In his published Michigan First AI Plan, Lawrence called for an immediate federal pause on new data center construction and advanced-model development, alongside privacy and safety audits.

Individual proposal or government action

North Carolina · Democratic

Winn Decker

2026 candidate

Office Sought: House District 36

AI Data Center BanAI Use RestrictionData Center Moratorium
Questionnaire Selections

Response 89

  • Outright AI Data-Center Ban
  • Temporary AI Data-Center Pause
  • Rescind Data-Center Tax Incentives
  • End Data-Center Nondisclosure Agreements
  • Water and Energy Usage Caps
  • Municipal Emergency Water and Electricity Restrictions
  • Restrictions on AI in Government Decisions
  • Broad Agency Discretion to Adopt AI
  • Statewide Private-Sector AI Standards

Self-reported questionnaire selections

Arizona · Democratic

Yassamin Ansari

U.S. Representative, Arizona's 3rd Congressional District (current office)

Superintelligence BanAdvanced AI Pause

Yassamin Ansari is an original cosponsor of H.R. 10538, which would impose a conditional pause on advanced AI and prohibit superintelligence, and she recorded a yea vote on the AI for Main Street Act.

Official sponsorship record; proposed legislation

Read Yassamin Ansari’s Profile

New York · Democratic (2025 mayoral nominee)

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

New York City mayor

AI Use Restriction

Mamdani backs student-facing AI limits in New York City schools and human access in automated customer service, and calls for regulation at every level.

In September 2026, Mayor Mamdani announced a one-year student-facing generative AI moratorium for grades 2K-8 and a companion-chatbot prohibition for all grades, per the classroom AI policy.

Individual policy record

Read Zohran Kwame Mamdani’s Profile

Character.AI Coalition Filing

On October 14, 2026, participating attorney general offices, through counsel, filed a Notice of Interest and Reservation of Rights in case 26-11603-BLS involving Character.AI. It seeks protections for minors, privacy, and limits on data sales and training, plus safeguards against professional impersonation. These are requests and a reservation of rights, not a final court order or a blanket artificial intelligence (AI) ban.

South Carolina H.5286

The bill was introduced February 26, 2026 and referred to Ways and Means. Its current bill record lists 19 sponsors. The bill would pause final government approvals, permits, and incentives for new data centers until January 1, 2028. It remains pending and is not law.

North Carolina H1161

The omnibus AI bill, H1161, is a proposal, not law. Introduced May 4, 2026, it was referred to Appropriations. It would restrict AI in political ads and allow school AI limits with required exceptions for teacher-authorized use, Individualized Education Programs, and Section 504 plans. It sets algorithmic-bias audit rules for employment. It does not ban all AI use.

Officials Supporting AI Restrictions

The sourced directory contains 332 unique records across Congress, governorships, state legislatures, and municipal offices, with mixed evidence bases: self-reported questionnaires, historical positions, and letter-only Senators seeking negotiations or a possible mutual pause. These positions range from temporary local pauses on computing facilities to federal bills proposing advanced-model pauses.

Positions do not represent a single unified agenda or a uniform rejection of technology. Some officials who back restrictions also support beneficial AI. Each record distinguishes whether a policy represents an enacted statute, an executive directive, a committee referral, or a campaign platform.

Nationwide research captures documented public statements, primary bill texts, official municipal minutes, and candidate platforms as of November 4, 2026. This collection is not an exhaustive census of every officeholder in the United States, and no stance is inferred from an official's party affiliation or silence on the issue.

Newly Elected Officials in the 2026 Record

Several candidates with explicit policy platforms restricting artificial intelligence or large infrastructure secured projected wins in the November 2026 midterm elections. Associated Press race calls report the winners in the three contests cited below, though media projections remain separate from official state certification and oath-taking.

In Michigan's 7th Congressional District, the Associated Press reported William Lawrence as the winning candidate following his campaign release of the Michigan First AI Plan. The Michigan First AI Plan outlined proposals for an immediate federal pause on new data center construction and advanced-model development, mandatory human authority over critical decisions, and restrictions on school-use algorithms.

In the Michigan Senate contest, the Associated Press reported Abdul El-Sayed as the winner after he released an October plan. His platform called for a pause on frontier-model development, a ban on artificial superintelligence, a public cabinet watchdog, whistleblower protections, and breach audits.

In the Michigan gubernatorial election, the Associated Press reported current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson as the projected winner. Her campaign data center platform advocates a conditional moratorium on new computing facilities until binding community agreements establish water protections, full grid cost recovery, and union labor standards.

Reading the AI Position Labels

Ban the Bots categorizes public records using eleven distinct stance tags to prevent conflating different policy goals. A single official may carry multiple tags depending on their legislative record and executive actions.

The directory avoids binary labels such as pro-AI or anti-AI. Some records seek legal prohibitions against specific algorithmic harms or utility cost shifting.

  • Advanced AI Pause: A conditional halt to the development, training, or deployment of defined advanced models; scope and lifting conditions matter.
  • Superintelligence Ban: Prohibition on defined superhuman capabilities or specified precursor traits; can operate alongside a temporary advanced-model pause.
  • Data Center Moratorium: A temporary or conditional restriction on covered facility construction, permitting or upgrades.
  • AI Data Center Ban: Explicit support for outright prohibition of specified AI data-center development, distinct from a temporary pause.
  • Specific Project Opposition: Objection limited to a named project or specified local development scope; do not generalize globally.
  • AI Use Restriction: Limits on specific applications such as government decision-making, surveillance, political media, school chatbots or care decisions.
  • AI Accountability Rules: Measures imposing independent safety audits, liability rules, whistleblower shields, training-data disclosures, or incident reporting requirements.
  • Data Center Safeguards: Conditions on data-center development such as community consent, costs, water or permitting.
  • Historical Moratorium Support: Sourced support for an earlier moratorium where the official subsequently shifted positions or where the position has not been reiterated in the current cycle.
  • International AI Restraint: Support for international AI guardrail negotiations, potentially a mutual frontier-model pause, without establishing an enacted treaty.
  • Mixed Record: Different policies or dated changes require chronological explanation.

Advanced-Model Restrictions in Congress

Federal legislative proposals distinguish between physical computing infrastructure moratoriums and statutory bans on frontier algorithmic models. Both approaches were introduced during the 119th Congress but remain pending in committee without final enactment.

Representative Greg Casar introduced H.R. 10538, known as the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act of 2026, which was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on September 24, 2026. The bill defines an advanced artificial intelligence system as any model trained using computing power greater than or equal to 10 to the 25th power operations, subject to annual administrative adjustments.

Under H.R. 10538, advanced systems face a mandatory development and deployment pause that lasts until a proposed Department of Artificial Intelligence is fully staffed and establishes safety regulations. The bill also establishes a permanent prohibition on developing or possessing artificial superintelligence or systems with precursor characteristics like autonomous replication, unauthorized network intrusion, or deception.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced H.R. 9442, the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, on June 24, 2026. The legislation directs an immediate moratorium on constructing or upgrading facilities used for at-scale models or centers exceeding 20 megawatts with high-density power delivery or liquid cooling.

The moratorium in H.R. 9442 contains no automatic one-year expiration date. The restriction continues until Congress enacts separate statutory safeguards ensuring public pre-deployment review, consumer utility protections, environmental protections, and worker protections, accompanied by an explicit legislative termination clause.

State and Local Authority

Local powers operate within limits set by state constitutions and statutory preemption, such as North Carolina General Statutes Section 160A-174.

In Asheville, municipal action in August 2026 proceeded through separate, narrow motions. In the August 25, 2026 meeting of the Asheville City Council, member Kim Roney successfully moved Resolution 26-180 to direct the city manager to terminate the municipal automated license plate reader contract, which passed 5 to 2. A separate attempt during the same meeting to add a moratorium on future Axon ALPR purchases failed to receive a second and died without a vote.

Similar jurisdictional distinctions apply to state governors. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul issued Executive Order 62 holding pending or future state environmental permit applications for covered data centers of 50 megawatts or more until final generic environmental review findings are delivered; previously complete applications and local permissions are unaffected.

Checking a Politician's Policy Record

Evaluating a politician's record requires examining primary documents; a candidate's own platform establishes the proposal, while the operative enactment record establishes legal status. Sponsoring a bill or introducing a resolution does not indicate that the measure became law.

Under the legislative process described by the House of Representatives, a bill must pass both the House and the Senate in identical form before being presented to the president for signature or veto. Introducing a bill represents a proposal, not an enacted legal restriction.

Records in the directory track five core criteria to establish an accurate policy baseline:

  • Official Role: The exact individual action, such as primary sponsor, cosponsor, signatory to an oversight letter, or executive order issuer.
  • Instrument Scope: The precise activity covered by the text, such as a facility power threshold, a compute capacity limit, or a targeted use ban.
  • Operative Status: The current legislative or legal posture, distinguishing between committee referrals, floor passages, vetoes, and enacted statutes.
  • Exemptions and Expirations: Built-in conditional terms, including fixed expiration dates, study requirements, or teacher exceptions.
  • Date of Verification: The exact date when the primary record, roll call, or public statement was inspected.

Background and Verification in Profiles

Biographical details in individual profiles draw on captured statements, official records, biographies and election evidence. Unverified claims, unofficial rumors, and automated estimates are excluded from directory records.

Partisan affiliations use official legislative rosters or candidate self-filings. Deeper ideological classifications require verifiable source documentation rather than inferences drawn from party membership.

Ages are calculated only from verified birth dates documented in official state manuals, congressional directories, or dated self-reported questionnaires. If a birth date cannot be verified from a reliable public record, the field remains marked as unknown. Profile photographs use verified public-domain government portraits or licensed alternatives; artificial likenesses are prohibited.

Coverage and Source Updates

The politics directory tracks 332 individual records compiled across federal filings, state legislatures, gubernatorial offices, and city councils as of November 4, 2026. This database includes 179 resolved state and local records alongside federal lawmakers and statewide executives.

The collection includes current officeholders, general election candidates, reported election winners, and historical candidates whose earlier positions are clearly distinguished from current policy. FEC 2026 House and Senate filer records (4,427 records) were downloaded, not all reviewed; this is not a screened census.

Readers can filter directory entries by name or office, state, party, and AI position to inspect individual primary documents and verify legislative statuses. For related coverage of non-governmental workplace, corporate, and union pushback against automation, visit How to Fight Back Against AI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any anti-AI politicians?

Yes, dozens of elected officials and candidates support defined legal restrictions on artificial intelligence. Positions range from federal bills proposing a pause on advanced frontier models to local zoning moratoriums on new data centers and proposed state limits on algorithmic rent collusion.

Support for restrictions does not imply total opposition to technology. Some officials who advocate for moratoriums or pre-deployment reviews also emphasize safe innovation or labor agreements.

How many politicians are anti-AI?

The Ban the Bots directory contains 332 unique records as of November 4, 2026, with mixed evidence: 96 self-reported questionnaires, historical positions, and 16 letter-only Senators seeking negotiations or a possible mutual pause.

Not all 332 records are verified current personal positions, and the count is not an exhaustive national census. The directory tracks candidates across both major parties and independents who have proposed specific limits, moratoriums, or regulatory safeguards.

Does supporting a data-center moratorium mean opposing all AI?

No. A data center moratorium targets the physical infrastructure, power draw, and water consumption of computing facilities. Some officials, such as Mike Minogue, pair a data-center restriction with support for robotics and AI-supported advanced manufacturing.

Moratorium proposals often focus on protecting local electrical grids, preventing consumer utility rate hikes, and securing community input before massive facilities are approved.

Does winning an election make a candidate's AI proposals law?

No. Campaign platforms and policy pledges have no legal force. Winning an election does not by itself enact a candidate's proposals; enactment depends on the legislative and executive action recorded for each policy. At the federal level, a bill must pass both the House and Senate in identical form and then go to the president, who may sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature under constitutional conditions; a veto alone does not enact a bill. Congress may also override a presidential veto. State and local authority differs.

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