Patti Zirhut, a lifelong Republican who voted for President Donald Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024, says she will not vote for Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee in Florida’s gubernatorial election. Zirhut, an organizer with No Data Center Hernando County, cited Donalds’ support for the controversial developments. She said she is considering voting for his Democratic opponent, former Rep. David Jolly.
Donalds has Trump’s endorsement, the party’s backing and $148 million in campaign funds, much of it from the tech industry. Jolly has raised $22 million. A recent University of North Florida survey put Jolly two points behind Donalds, within the 2.8 percent margin of error.
The candidates’ positions on data centers are sharply divided. Jolly has promised a one-year moratorium on data center developments and traveled to Virginia’s Loudoun County, known as Data Center Alley, to see what hyperscale facilities do to a community. Donalds said in August that “there ain’t no bans coming,” and has said he wants to welcome the tech industry, including data center developers, to Florida. He has since moderated his stance, seeking to appeal to the 68 percent of Floridians who say they oppose the developments in their communities.
Donalds points to his running mate, state Sen. Bryan Ávila, who sponsored a bill requiring new data center projects to pay their fair share for water and electricity. Donalds has also said local governments have final say over data centers, telling CBS News that governors do not issue building permits. Jolly has nicknamed his opponent “Data Center Donalds.” Donalds’ campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Jolly argues opposition to data centers is more intense among Republicans than Democrats, describing it as a reflection of concern about Big Tech’s influence and about surveillance, AI and development encroaching on land and freedom. He cited air and noise pollution, public health effects on people living near on-site power plants, water use and the risk that facilities built today may be functionally obsolete within 10 years.
Raul Alfonso, chair of Watchdogs of Fort Meade, a group fighting a $2.6 billion hyperscale development in Polk County, said Donalds and Gov. Ron DeSantis sent his group what he described as a form letter telling residents to trust local officials. He said the group has not heard back from Jolly, which does not bother him given the promised moratorium. James Fishback, who took 10 percent of the primary vote, was the first to respond, and Bobby Williams, who won 4.1 percent, attended several events. Angie Nixon, the Democrat running to unseat Sen. Ashley Moody, hosted a town hall in Fort Meade. Williams has endorsed Jolly.
Florida now has nearly 2 million more registered Republicans than Democrats, and Republicans lead in early voting. If Jolly wins, he would be the first Democratic governor elected in Florida in 28 years. Donalds has received $5 million from Leading the
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