SARASOTA, Fla. (June 18, 2026). Dean Abrams, independent candidate for Governor and a 30-year enterprise technology veteran, today laid out his opposition to large AI data centers in Florida.
Hyperscale data centers draw heavily on three things Florida has in limited supply: fresh water for cooling, electric grid capacity, and open land. Neighbors absorb the noise, heat, and construction. Ratepayers can end up carrying grid upgrades built for a single customer.
Abrams also raised a concern that gets less attention. Computing capacity at this scale is what makes mass data processing possible, including the analysis of location, plate-reader, and personal data. Floridians are rarely told who the tenants of these facilities are or what their computers are processing.
His position:
- No new AI data centers in Florida
- Existing data centers pay the full cost of the water, power, waste heat, and noise they generate
- Closed-loop water systems required for large commercial facilities
- Florida's aquifers and fresh water reserved for Floridians first, with no bulk water sales out of state
"I spent 30 years building enterprise technology. I am not against technology," said Abrams. "I am against Florida families paying for someone else's server farm with their water, their power bills, and their privacy."
Media contact: Dean Abrams · dean@deanabrams.com · 941-233-4951
About Dean Abrams: Dean Abrams is a No Party Affiliation candidate for Governor of Florida. He spent 30 years in enterprise technology and management consulting, including Microsoft, HP, KPMG, and Avanade. His campaign is self-funded and accepts no PAC or corporate money.