Trade unions are entering the data-center construction debate, threatening to withhold political support from candidates opposing these projects. This adds a new front to nationwide resistance that has centered on electricity costs, water consumption and noise. Unions warn such actions endanger thousands of building-related jobs.

Steamfitters UA Local 602, representing workers across Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D. C., declared it will not support politicians opposing facilities, calling it an 'existential moment' for the union. In Kansas, a union representing HVAC and railroad workers broke from decades of precedent to endorse Republican state Sen.

Ty Masterson for governor over the Democratic candidate's opposition to construction. The union support benefits data-center companies facing approval slowdowns, as the build-out is crucial for AI companies like Open AI and Anthropic to meet growth targets. Many construction jobs pay good wages with benefits, with electricians in IBEW Local 26 showing up at public hearings to speak in favor of projects, noting their members worked 28 million hours last year compared with 14 million a decade prior.

President Trump continues to support the build-out despite intra-party opposition, saying data centers make sense if built in proper locations with appropriate guidelines.