Texas Democrat Senate nominee James Talarico is campaigning on tougher restrictions for data centers and attacking Republican opponent Ken Paxton over contributions connected to the industry, despite previously voting for a 20-year tax incentive for large data centers and benefiting from millions of dollars in political support from donors tied to the data-center and AI industries.

Talarico, a Texas state senator, recently rolled out a

questions about an Aug. 13 data-center roundtable in Abilene after his campaign excluded local reporters while allowing MS NOW inside. The campaign described the event as a private discussion meant to let residents speak freely without cameras, though MS NOW recorded portions and Talarico’s campaign later released a 14-minute video from inside.

When Abilene Reporter-News reporter Lauren Dossey asked why local media had been shut out, Talarico said the campaign wanted residents to be able to speak honestly before holding a separate press availability, after which a campaign aide told reporters, “Let’s stick to data center topics.”

The Abilene Reporter-News reported the event “was closed to the press except for MS NOW, a national news outlet.”