Data centers are coming to Tennessee fast, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn has a clear answer on who should be in charge: the people who live there. In answers published Tuesday by The Nashville Focal, the Republican nominee for governor said local communities should decide where the facilities are built, while the state balances responsible development with innovation.
Blackburn also put families first on the power bill. She pointed to the Ratepayer Protection Pledge as an important step toward protecting consumers from the costs tied to data center growth. The question is real for Tennesseans: Nashville and several other communities have paused or banned new data center construction, and xAI’s facility in Memphis has drawn local pushback over emissions, water and utility bills.
On artificial intelligence itself, Blackburn said the United States must stay competitive while making sure development is responsible and the costs do not land on families. She cited the national AI framework she introduced in the Senate and said she supports protecting children, creators and communities while letting businesses innovate. Tennessee has already led the way with the ELVIS Act, which protects artists’ voices and likenesses, a ban on deceptive AI deepfakes in political ads, and a law barring AI from being classified as a person.
Her opponents went in different directions. Independents David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston both called for a statewide pause on new data center approvals, and Democratic nominee Jerri Green said projects should go forward only if companies meet her conditions on resources and costs. Blackburn’s approach keeps the decision close to home without slamming the door on jobs and investment.
A poll released Tuesday by The Tennessee Star showed Blackburn leading Green 43.5% to 32%, with Hatley at 11.9%. Early voting runs through Oct. 29, and Election Day is Nov. 3. For Tennesseans who want growth without getting stuck with the bill, Blackburn is offering common sense.
