Texas GOP Voters Turn Against Data Centers Amid Mining Concerns
Conservative voters in Texas are rethinking their loyalty to the Republican Party over its handling of data centers, particularly those involved in cryptocurrency mining. Cheryl Shadden, a Hood County resident and former Republican voter, has been protesting a data center near her farm for over two years.
Shadden's activism made headlines when Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa visited her neighborhood in July. According to Shadden, the data center was unusually quiet during Hinojosa's visit, which she attributed to the company trying to avoid controversy.
Shadden now supports Hinojosa's campaign for governor against incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. She is not alone; other conservative voters are also turning away from the GOP due to its perceived ties with big tech companies and tax breaks for data center developers.