EagleEye

Farnsworth Discusses Data Centers as an Election Issue in The Economic Times

Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Affairs Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in The Economic Times article, “U.S. Midterms 2026: Why AI Data Centers, Power Bills and Water Use Are Becoming Local Election Issues.”

The article examines how concerns about the growing number of artificial intelligence data centers, including their impact on electricity costs and water consumption, are becoming issues in local elections. Farnsworth noted that data centers are increasingly part of broader economic discussions as residents express concerns about rising household utility bills.

Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:

Early voting surges in battleground states as Democrats outpace GOP gains (MSN; WAVY)
“Early voting in Virginia has been concentrated in congressional districts where Republicans are playing defense, not offense,” University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth said. 

Lucas indictment unlikely to move needle for midterm voters, expert says (Yahoo News: DC New Now; WVVA; The Virginian Pilot; Daily Press)
Despite Sen. Louise Lucas’s indictment occurring so close to an election, the impacts on next week’s midterms could be minimal. That’s according to Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Mary Washington.

Warner faces Mizusawa in U.S. Senate race (The Charlotte Gazette)
“Republicans have not made this race a priority,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Mary Washington. 

Virginia U.S. House Races Bring Focus to Midterm Elections (Maryland Express)
The 7th Congressional District has swung between Republican and Democratic representatives. Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at Mary Washington University, described it as primarily an I-95 district encompassing Prince William, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties, Fredericksburg, and the western counties of Orange and Culpeper. wtop.com reported Farnsworth stated, “The dynamics in this district are really ones primarily of economic anxiety,” adding that affordability questions are intense in Northern Virginia.

Virginians prepare to vote in US House races after redistricting roller coaster (WTOP)
Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at Mary Washington University, said it is primarily an “I-95 district” — including Prince William, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, as well as Fredericksburg, and to the west, Orange and Culpeper counties.

The Virginia Midterm’s Blue Tide (Virginia Free Press)
The trend has not been lost of Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Mary Washington.He told the Virginia Free Press in a phone interview that what we are witnessing is “the real growth of negative partisanship. People feel much more negatively about the other party” then they feel positively about their own.

Why campaign mailings remain popular in the digital age (WVTF)
If it feels like you’re getting more campaign mailers this year, you’re not wrong. In spite of more modern means of communication, Stephen Farnsworth, a retired professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, says the U.S. mail remains popular with candidates. “There’s been a huge escalation.  We don’t necessarily know which mailer works well with which voter, but if you bring a range of issues, maybe one of those will stick,” Farnsworth says. 

Will Virginia voters determine the balance of power in Washington? (WAVY; WRIC)
University of Mary Washington Professor Emeritus Stephen Farnsworth says it’s certainly possible. “National Democrats are looking to Virginia as one of the few places where they may be able to win multiple seats currently held by Republicans,” Farnsworth said. 

Map Shows Seats Democrats May Flip in Districts Trump Won by Double Digits (Newsweek)
Voters appear to be judging Trump “very harshly,” compared to two years ago, when he was running on campaign promises such as lowering prices and becoming less engaged in international affairs, Stephen Farnsworth, political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, told Newsweek.

Tight races, big money in Virginia congressional battles (The Free Lance-Star; Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“It’s clear that Republicans are waking up to the fact that they may lose a significant part of the Virginia House (of Representatives) delegation,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.

Virginia US Sen. Mark Warner seeks final term in race against military veteran Bert Mizusawa (WTOP)
“The best measure of how competitive a Senate race is, is to look to the donations,” Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at Mary Washington University, said. “The political elites of both parties will focus on those races that are really, really close and the Virginia Senate race simply does not make that list.”

Trump Weekend Wrap Up (CTV News)
“A lot depends on the state we are talking about. President Trump’s approval ratings overall nationally are quite negative, but there are some thoughts in some of the redder states such as Ohio where he is tonight are places where he can be more help than harm,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

‘Shoved down their throats’: Americans don’t want data centers in their backyards — and their electric bills show why. Protect yourself now (Moneywise; Yahoo Finance)
“The data center story fits in with the economic anxiety story because people are very concerned that some of the deals that are being offered to data center developers involve processes that will end up with people paying higher bills for their utilities,” Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, told WTOP News. “The concern, above all, is one of economic anxiety, and the data center story is part of that.”

Sen. Warner seeks a final term as Mizusawa makes his case for change (Fauquier Now; InsideNoVa)
“Republicans have not made this race a priority,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Mary Washington. Warner’s reputation as a centrist works in his favor, Farnsworth said, but Trump’s unpopularity and voters’ frustration over high prices would likely benefit almost every Democrat.