Hinojosa Vows to Halt Texas Data Center Boom
The new Democratic governor-elect says she will pause construction until the state legislature writes rules to protect local communities.
By Justin Brooks ·
Texas politics shifted sharply this week as Democrats reclaimed control of the state government and the federal Congress. Gina Hinojosa, the newly elected governor, used a CNN appearance to set a firm tone for her administration. She stated that the era of unchecked tech expansion in Texas will end once she takes office.
Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott in the midterm election. The Democratic victory extended to the state legislature and federal seats. In Washington, James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton to take a Senate seat. These results came despite Elon Musk spending $446 million to support Republican candidates across the country.
The governor-elect focused her criticism on data center developers who have built facilities in rural areas without local input. She said the state lacks laws to protect residents from the impacts of these large projects. Hinojosa noted that she is not against technology or business, but she objected to the current imbalance of power. She described the current situation as one where communities are being exploited due to a lack of regulation.
Musk, a major investor in artificial intelligence and a prominent supporter of data centers, reacted to the election results with a warning. Last week, he claimed that U.S. democracy would end if Republicans lost their congressional majorities. He has also announced that production of the Cybertruck in Texas will wind down. Hinojosa said she is willing to work with Musk but emphasized that his influence over state decisions will change under her leadership.
The new governor also addressed the proposed sale of Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX. She described the idea of selling the beach to Musk as almost unimaginable and unacceptable. This stance contrasts with previous administrations that moved to approve the land transfer. Hinojosa said she will ensure that local communities have a say in how their land is used.
Hinojosa proposed an immediate moratorium on data center construction. She urged Abbott to issue an executive order to halt projects before she officially takes office. She cited CNN polling that found 75% of Texans oppose data centers in their own communities. Hinojosa said she wants a partnership that benefits Texans, not just the companies building the facilities.
She argued that a strong economy and strong protections for residents are not mutually exclusive. Hinojosa said her administration will work with the legislature to create the necessary laws. She promised to stop the current buildout until those protections are in place.
