Patronis Covers Data Centers, Iran Deal, AI Town Hall, Second Amendment and More

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Northwest Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis joined Pensacola's Morning News Thursday — weighing in on the data center debate heating up locally, the Iran nuclear deal, a recap of this week's AI town hall, and a string of Second Amendment developments.

Data Centers and Utility Rates

Patronis says his primary concern about hyperscale data centers coming to Northwest Florida is not the facilities themselves — it is what happens to everyone else's electric bill. He spent three years regulating utilities and says the math is straightforward — the Chris plant in Pensacola supplies essentially all of Northwest Florida up to Lansing Smith in Panama City, capacity is finite, and massive new data center load would eventually force a conversation about new power generation that ratepayers would absorb. He says investor groups that build large facilities, flip them, and leave the community are the specific scenario that worries him most. Patronis also noted that FPL is not out there recruiting data centers — and says data center demand will be a massive factor in the next utility rate hearing before the Florida Public Service Commission. He says utilities don't want millions of angry Floridians blaming them for higher rates driven by outside investor demand.

AI Town Hall Recap

Patronis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmire held a telephone town hall this week on the dangers of AI chatbots — drawing roughly 6,000 participants at peak. Uthmire discussed ongoing prosecutions related to AI platforms being used as replacements for parents, mentors, and mental health support for minors. Patronis says the questions from callers were the most valuable part of the event and says he plans to bring special guests to future town halls. He says his DMs are open on X at Jimmy Patronis for anyone who wants to suggest future guests or topics.

Iran Deal

Patronis says the Iran nuclear deal is not going to be smooth — and says the reason is simple. Multiple layers of Iranian decision-makers are gone following U.S. and Israeli strikes and the country is deeply fractured between factions that want revenge and factions that want to avoid further destruction. He applauds President Trump for eliminating what he calls a 47-year threat but says expecting a clean resolution from a country still in shock is unrealistic. He says it will be bumpy but says he would much rather be in the United States than Iran right now.

Second Amendment Developments

Patronis calls himself a Second Amendment purist — no asterisks, no caveats. He was reacting to several recent developments including Florida declining to defend the three-day waiting period after a court found it unconstitutional, 18 to 20-year-olds now able to conceal carry in Florida, and a Supreme Court ruling suggesting marijuana users cannot automatically be presumed dangerous and therefore prohibited from gun ownership. Patronis says any restriction challenged in court should be thrown out and says his Firearms Freedom Act — which would legalize civilian purchase of machine guns — comes from the same philosophical place. He says it is not about machine guns specifically. It is about removing impediments to a constitutional right.

Defense Production Act

Patronis explained why the federal government would take an equity stake in companies that pivot their production lines to manufacture weapons under the Defense Production Act. He used General Motors as an example — saying if the government asks a company to stop building pickup trucks and start building tanks it needs to show skin in the game and buy into the transition before expecting the company to absorb the cost of the pivot.

World Cup

Patronis admitted he has watched approximately six minutes of continuous soccer during the World Cup — and says his schedule of emails, texts, and phone calls leaves little room for international sports. He did say the talent on display is impressive and that using American football stadiums for the tournament is a smart logistical move.

Toy Story 5

Patronis closed with an unexpected recommendation — urging parents to go see Toy Story 5 with their kids rather than just dropping them off. He says the subject matter of the film is particularly relevant for children ages 8 to 13 and says parents will appreciate watching it alongside them.