Texas ag chief Sid Miller says data center push will cost Republicans votes

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican, is warning that his own party will pay at the polls for how it has handled the data center boom. Miller told the Texas Tribune in August that Republicans will lose some statewide races this year because of the issue ¹. His message is getting fresh attention a week before Election Day, Nov. 3.

Data centers are huge buildings full of computers that power artificial intelligence and online services. They use large amounts of electricity and water. More than 300 operate in Texas, and a Tribune analysis found at least 248 more are planned ¹.

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What Miller has said

Miller called data centers a nonpartisan issue and said Republicans are falling short. He has not committed to a candidate in November and does not endorse Democrats, but he said Democrats are taking the right position on this issue ¹.

Republicans should be on this issue and we’re not

Miller aims most of his criticism at Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. He says he has asked Abbott for a one-year pause on new data centers, a special session of the Legislature, and the return of donations from data center companies. He says he has had no response ¹.

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Abbott's office has pushed back. Press secretary Andrew Mahaleris said the governor has taken significant action on data centers ¹. Abbott has called for pausing approvals for data centers that want to connect to the state power grid until an audit is done. He also wants lawmakers to end a multibillion-dollar sales tax exemption for data centers next year ¹.

In a Texas Department of Agriculture release, Miller argued that the industry could strain the state's water supply and power grid ³.

Water is the lifeblood of Texas agriculture, and once it's gone, it's gone.

The race to replace him

Miller is leaving office after 12 years. The race to succeed him pits Republican Nate Sheets against Democrat Clayton Tucker. Abbott endorsed Sheets, who has been relatively quiet on data centers. Tucker has been vocal in opposing them ¹².

A recent poll found 62% of rural Texans oppose data center construction in their communities ². Tucker said of voters, "The two top concerns about data centers I hear are water and power." ²

There is a catch. The Tribune notes the agriculture commissioner has no direct authority over how data centers operate ². The race may therefore say more about voter mood than about policy.

Why it matters

That matters because rural Texas has long been reliable Republican territory. When a sitting Republican statewide official says his party is on the wrong side of a local issue, it signals possible trouble in places the GOP counts on. Power bills and water supplies are everyday concerns for voters, including older residents on fixed incomes.

The candidates have taken to the road as early voting approaches ². Miller has not said whom he will vote for, and said there are some Republicans he may leave blank on his ballot ¹.

The Record

1. Aug 6, 2026Miller told the Texas Tribune that Republicans will lose some statewide races because of data centers, and said Abbott had not answered his requests for a pause or special session ¹.
2. Oct 15, 2026The Tribune reported that 62% of rural Texans oppose data center construction in their communities ².

Sources

1. The Texas Tribune, “Sid Miller says Republicans will lose statewide elections due to data centers” (2026-08-06). texastribune.org/2026/08/06/sid-miller-republicans-elections
2. The Texas Tribune, “Nate Sheets, Clayton Tucker clash on data centers, credentials” (2026-10-15). texastribune.org/2026/10/15/texas-election-2026-agriculture-
3. Texas Department of Agriculture, “Commissioner Sid Miller Renews Call for Special Session to Protect Texas Agriculture from Unchecked Data Center Growth” (2026-10-27). texasagriculture.gov/News-Events/Article/11990/Commissioner-

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