Georgia gubernatorial candidate Keisha Bottoms (D) said she would pause new construction on data centers if elected, citing concerns about rising utility bills and declining property values, in contrast to her Republican opponent Rick Jackson. The remarks, shared in a C-SPAN post on X, drew online attention as users debated the proposal’s potential effects on jobs, AI development, and the state’s economy. Many responses focused on Bottoms’ record as former Atlanta mayor and questioned whether the pause would help or hinder Georgia residents.
In the video, Bottoms addresses the audience and says, “And while Slick Rick is building a data center as we speak. I’m going to pause new construction on data centers so that we can address concerns about rising utility bills and declining property values.”
In the C-SPAN clip, Bottoms said she would pause new data centers, while her opponent Rick Jackson is still building them. Her campaign has called it a temporary stop so the state can look at utility bills and property values. Jackson has pushed back on a full freeze and said data centers should only go up under certain conditions. The short video doesn’t cover her time as Atlanta mayor or any claims about his investments.
What Georgia Voters Are Saying About Bottoms’ Data Center Pause
Some users supported Bottoms’ call for a pause, arguing it protects residents from higher costs. One wrote, “Exactly the right call. Big tech gets sweet tax breaks while everyday Georgia residents see their power bills skyrocket and their local water resources drained to power server farms. Protecting residents’ wallets should always come before blank checks for data centers.”
Others focused on potential economic downsides. Commenters said, “Data centers mean jobs”. They warned that Georgia would “fall further behind as other states support AI Data Centers build out,” with one adding that the proposal showed she was “not for jobs, national security, or technological progress.”
A third set of replies centered on Bottoms’ record as Atlanta mayor. Several described her as a “Failed Mayor” or alleged past benefits from data centers, including claims that she “stuffed her pockets with bribes and kickbacks” while in office and was now taking a different position.
A few replies rejected the idea outright, calling her a “disaster” or saying, “How about NO!?”
Bottoms’ comments have become part of the bigger back-and-forth in the Georgia governor’s race over data centers, utility bills, and jobs. People are still talking about it online as both sides make their case before Election Day.
