Casey Askar
Republican · FL House - District 22 SUPPORTS DATA CENTERSOutside AI PAC Money: $0
Position on Hyperscale Data Centers
Initially pledged a statewide ban during the GOP primary, but reversed position following Donald Trump's endorsement; stated in leaked audio that he backs Trump's mission to build AI data centers to compete against China, advocating facilities be placed in rural areas: “Do I support the President in the mission for data centers? Yes, because we have to compete... We can’t say, 'Oh, I don’t want data centers, but yeah, yeah, I want to be in AI'” (Florida Politics).
Verified Quotes & Evidence
"Do I support the President in the mission for data centers? Yes, because we have to compete... We can't say, 'Oh, I don't want data centers, but yeah, yeah, I want to be in AI.'"
Date: 2026-10-13
→ Source: Florida Politics (Leaked Audio)
"And so I want them in rural areas. I don't want them near our homes. And I don't want them near our schools."
Date: 2026-10-13
→ Source: Florida Politics (Leaked Audio)
"As your representative, my job is to keep AI data centers outside of our neighborhoods"
Date: 2026-07
→ Source: Floridianpress
"In fact, my position will be – and you can hold me to this – is I don't want them in the state of Florida"
Date: 2026-07
→ Source: Floridianpress