Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, Texas
Now: State Representative, District 50 verified October 13, 2026 · source (opens in a new tab)
On your ballot U.S. Senate, Texas (certified list (opens in a new tab), verified October 9, 2026)
Photo: Antonioaesparza, CC BY SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab), cropped.
Checked · How the record reads leaders · Report a change · Corrections
Of 17 statements on the record, 8 raised concerns about data centers, 4 were mixed and 5 carry no label.
Labels are applied by the record's published rules: two readings of each statement, and a third that reads its source where the two differ. Every label sits beside its statement and its source, and any label can be challenged through Report a change, with the correction logged on the corrections page.
Position History: Chronological record of positions across sourced statements.
- · Mixed · The Texas Tribune
- · Raises concern · The Texas Tribune
- · Mixed · The Texas Tribune
- · Mixed · The Texas Tribune
- · Raises concern · The Texas Tribune
- · Raises concern · Texas Public Radio
- · Raises concern · San Antonio Current
- · Mixed · San Antonio Current
- · Raises concern · Houston Public Media
- · Raises concern · FOX 7 Austin
- · Raises concern · jamestalarico.com
- · Raises concern · CNN
Asked and answered
1 exchange
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CNN and Jubilee Town Hall, Fort Worth ·
The question, quoted from the source (opens in a new tab), asked by Monica Lockett, a software engineer and undecided voter, who gave her name on air:
So I am still undecided because I feel like there's an elephant in the room that no one has brought up, and that is A.I., data centers, okay? Data centers are coming in, they seem to be like coming in in droves, like there's like I think 100 planned to be coming into Texas, I'm not sure, or more. I think one was just built. People don't even know that these things are being built in their -- in their areas. It's just like one just pops up and they're like, okay, wow. ... On top of that, people are afraid that the aquifers are like losing water. We already having droughts as it is. Texas is a very dry hot place. So, now, the water is being diminished. People are worried about their bills, like their electric bills going up. ... Their water bills going up. A decrease in quality of water, it's already a dry place as it is, especially in the middle of Texas. So I just want to know what are your -- what's your take on like the A.I. boom ... and those data centers (INAUDIBLE)?
The answer, quoted:
I was actually up in Abilene meeting with residents, Democrats and Republicans alike because they are building three giant data centers in Abilene. ... And so I've rolled out a plan to crack down on these giant data center companies. I've said that we got to force them to pay for their own energy instead of jacking up our utility bills. We got to force them to recycle their water so they are not exacerbating the water crisis here in Texas, and force them to get the consent of the people who live in these communities before they start building.
Sources: CNN (opens in a new tab), Newsweek (opens in a new tab), CNN (opens in a new tab) · Watch the exchange (opens in a new tab) · In the statements list
What they said
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"I was actually up in Abilene meeting with residents, Democrats and Republicans alike because they are building three giant data centers in Abilene. ... And so I've rolled out a plan to crack down on these giant data center companies. I've said that we got to force them to pay for their own energy instead of jacking up our utility bills. We got to force them to recycle their water so they are not exacerbating the water crisis here in Texas, and force them to get the consent of the people who live in these communities before they start building."
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source.
Where & When: CNN and Jubilee Town Hall, Fort Worth · October 14, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- CNN (opens in a new tab), primary source
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "I've rolled out a plan to crack down on these giant data center companies".
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"Hold data centers accountable and stop them from jacking up our utility bills: End sweetheart tax deals for big tech companies, guarantee large energy users like data centers fund the infrastructure improvements they need rather than passing those costs on to consumers, require new data centers to use a closed loop system to reduce water consumption and pollution, set minimum federal requirements for new data center projects to protect our grid, environment, and jobs and ensure transparency, and empower local communities to decide whether they want a data center in their town."
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source.
Where & When: October 13, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- jamestalarico.com (opens in a new tab), primary source
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Hold data centers accountable and stop them from jacking up our utility bills: End sweetheart tax deals for big tech companies".
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James Talarico's campaign ad released October 12 accused Ken Paxton of providing billions in tax breaks for data centers and receiving nearly half a million dollars in donations from data center companies.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 12, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Yahoo (opens in a new tab), local outlet
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James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate, said data center construction in Texas should not be allowed to contribute to the state's ongoing affordability crisis and that data centers should not be allowed unless they can meet community demands, pay for their own energy and water, and get community consent.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 30, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Houston Public Media (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "data centers should not be allowed unless they can meet community demands, pay for their own energy and water, and get community consent".
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James Talarico's Hold Data Centers Accountable Plan would repeal tax incentives, give local residents input on construction, require AI companies to pay for electricity and water infrastructure, hold data centers accountable for water pollution, and create an AI Dividend.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 30, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- FOX 7 Austin (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "repeal tax incentives, give local residents input on construction, require AI companies to pay for electricity and water infrastructure, hold data centers accountable for water pollution".
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James Talarico's campaign called for ending tax abatements for data centers, empowering local residents, holding data centers accountable for water pollution, and requiring companies to pay for their own infrastructure
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 29, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Newsweek (opens in a new tab), national outlet
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State Rep. James Talarico said Paxton allowed data centers to operate without regulation for more than a decade before changing his position.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 24, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- CBS7 (opens in a new tab), news outlet
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Democrat candidate James Talarico unveiled a Hold Data Centers Accountable Plan that would end state sales tax incentives, set minimum federal requirements, empower local communities to decide on data centers, and require closed loop water systems
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 25, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- CBS News (opens in a new tab), national outlet
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Talarico's plan would repeal state tax exemptions for data centers, mandate data centers cover 100% of grid connection costs, and require closed loop water recycling systems
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 24, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Fox News (opens in a new tab), national outlet
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"These data center companies are driving up utility bills for Texans. They are using massive amounts of water, and they are moving into communities without any notification, without any consent from the people who live there."
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source.
Where & When: July 30, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Texas Public Radio (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "driving up utility bills for Texans. They are using massive amounts of water, and they are moving into communities without any notification".
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"If they're not going to come and create good union jobs and support our communities, then they shouldn't be in our communities."
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source.
Where & When: July 30, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- San Antonio Current (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "If they're not going to come and create good union jobs and support our communities, then they shouldn't be in our communities.".
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Talarico told reporters in San Antonio that he opposes a complete moratorium on new data center construction in Texas and instead wants regulations for the industry.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: July 30, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- San Antonio Current (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "opposes a complete moratorium on new data center construction in Texas and instead wants regulations for the industry".
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"I reject that choice, and the plan that we're outlining today to hold data centers accountable, I think, strikes a balance between welcoming those investments while also protecting working people."
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source.
Where & When: July 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Texas Tribune (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "strikes a balance between welcoming those investments while also protecting working people".
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Talarico's plan calls for minimum federal requirements for new data centers covering the grid, the environment, jobs and transparency; repeal of the Texas sales tax exemption for data centers; large energy users paying their own infrastructure and grid interconnection costs; closed loop water systems; authority for local communities to approve or reject a data center; and release of government records on the tax breaks given to individual data centers.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: July 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Texas Tribune (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "repeal of the Texas sales tax exemption for data centers; large energy users paying their own infrastructure and grid interconnection costs".
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Talarico did not call for a moratorium, saying he wanted to support innovation and technology while ensuring local communities had a say in projects near them, and that projects not meeting basic guardrails should not move ahead.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: July 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Texas Tribune (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "wanted to support innovation and technology while ensuring local communities had a say in projects near them, and that projects not meeting basic guardrails should not move ahead".
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"Texas should be a leader when it comes to innovation and technology, but that only works if Texans get a say and get a share of that economic growth."
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source.
Where & When: July 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Texas Tribune (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Texas should be a leader when it comes to innovation and technology, but that only works if Texans get a say and get a share".
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"Data centers are jacking up utility bills across the state of Texas. Billionaire backed politicians are giving sweetheart tax deals to giant AI companies and then sticking us with the bill."
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source.
Where & When: July 22, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Texas Tribune (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Data centers are jacking up utility bills across the state of Texas. Billionaire backed politicians are giving sweetheart tax deals to giant AI companies and then sticking us with the bill.".
1 statement on file was labeled and is left out of the counts.
Where we looked
- the campaign website (jamestalarico.com (opens in a new tab)): checked October 13, 2026, 1 statement; the campaign's Social Media, AI and Tech page states the data center plan in the campaign's own words; no separate data center page on the site (read October 13, 2026)
- news searches: checked October 13, 2026, 6 statements; the Texas Tribune of July 22, 2026 (the Austin plan), the San Antonio Current and Texas Public Radio of July 31, 2026 (the San Antonio stop of July 30), each the outlet's own reporting; TPR's July 22 copy and KSAT's, Newsweek's and Hoodline's are republications or rewrites and are not sources; Courier Texas's January 16, 2026 Plano town hall page carries no words of his (read October 13, 2026)
- the official office website (house.texas.gov (opens in a new tab)): checked October 13, 2026, nothing found; the Texas House member page lists the office, bills and committees and carries no statement (read October 13, 2026)
How they voted
No vote on a data center measure on the record.
Others in this race
- Ken Paxton Republican · U.S. Senate · the race page
- Ted Brown Libertarian · U.S. Senate · the race page
Something missing?
Know a sourced statement by James Talarico on data centers that is not here? Send the link. It goes to the record's inbox as a card routed to this person and publishes only after it is read against its source.
Are you James Talarico or on the campaign? Ask for a correction or send a statement, or email corrections@datacenterrecord.org.
Data Center Record, "Public statements by James Talarico", https://datacenterrecord.org/speakers/james-talarico, last verified October 20, 2026.
Reusing this page
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Last verified: October 13, 2026.