Last Update: 08/01/2026 at 12:01 PM EST

Donalds Rejects Florida Data Center Moratorium

Coverage from WESH, WUSF, and others

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The Story

Donalds Rejects Florida Data Center Moratorium image

Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds opposes a statewide moratorium on large AI data centers while supporting limits intended to protect water supplies, residential areas and electricity customers. Likely Democratic nominee David Jolly favors a statewide pause, citing water-infrastructure concerns. The dispute has elevated data-center development as a campaign issue ahead of the Republican primary, alongside local approval freezes and scrutiny of industry-linked political donations.

First Article: 07/30/26

Latest Article: 07/30/26

The Bigger Picture

Articles in this story are part of a shaping these topics.

Florida Counties Pause AI Data Centers

More than a dozen Florida jurisdictions, and possibly more than 20 according to broader counts, have passed or debated data center moratoriums.

Articles

07-24-2026

WESH / Greg Fox

Byron Donalds Faces AI Data Center Funding Questions

Byron Donalds said on June 26 that Florida should protect power and water resources from AI data centers while Senate Bill 484 limits utility cost pass-through.

07-24-2026

WUSF

Donalds Rejects Statewide Florida Data Center Moratorium

Byron Donalds said Clearwater, Florida, should regulate hyperscale data centers through local authority and water permitting rather than enact a statewide moratorium.

07-24-2026

FOX 13 Tampa Bay

Florida Candidates Clash Over AI Data Center Restrictions

Byron Donalds and David Jolly discuss Florida data center permitting ahead of the Aug. 18 Republican primary after counties blocked approvals for at least a year.