'Spontaneous combustion': House campaigns have no playbook for 'major, major' new issue

Candidates vying for House seats in battleground districts are confounded by a new hot-button issue, according to a Politico report.

AI data centers are turning out to be a "political slog" for House hopefuls from both parties, according to Politico. About 1,500 data centers are planned or being built in 232 congressional districts, with a near even split among which are in Democratic and Republican territory, Politico reported.

"There's more political signs against AI in our region than for candidates in the upcoming races," Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), who's running to keep her seat, told Politico. "The public opposition that is arising, it's spontaneous combustion coming up from the grassroots."

An anonymous Democratic strategist told Politico that campaigns don't have a playbook for how to respond to the growing concern.

"There's not one big national message on this specific thing," the strategist said. "But in certain districts, data centers are going to be a major, major player."

Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI), whose district is targeted by both congressional arms and hosts six data centers, told Politico that congressional candidates shouldn't be shouldered with figuring the issue out, as he sees it more as a local issue.

"People should not want their member of Congress deciding local zoning decisions," he said. "It would be a dangerous precedent."