Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico on Wednesday called for a broad set of tighter regulations on data centers in Texas, seizing on what has become a potential political liability for Republicans who until recently had embraced the explosion of artificial intelligence-driven development in the state.

"Texas should be a leader when it comes to innovation and technology, but that only works if Texans get a say and get a share of that economic growth - and that's not what's happening right now," Talarico said at a news conference in Austin where he rolled out his plan.

"We're often told in our politics that we have to choose between policies that are pro-growth and pro-people. I reject that choice, and the plan that we're outlining today to hold data centers accountable, I think, strikes a balance between welcoming those investments while also protecting working people." Talarico's proposals include: Talarico is among several statewide Democratic nominees taking aim at data centers as the party looks to seize on Texas voters' discontent over the industry's rapid expansion.