John Deaton, an attorney who has advocated for the crypto industry, officially launched his run for a United States Senate seat in Massachusetts — without explicitly mentioning digital assets as a campaign issue.
In a video released from his X account on Feb. 20, Deaton said his campaign would be focused on “taking on the Washington elites,” claiming that Senator Elizabeth Warren “gets nothing done” for Massachusetts. The video included a photo of a Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly headline mentioning Deaton’s role in advocating for crypto against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the lawyer wearing an XRP shirt. Otherwise, the launch video focused on domestic issues, including inflation and border security.
“I am running for U.S. Senate to continue my life’s mission to shake things up for the people who need it most,” said Deaton.
First, it was schoolyard bullies, then it was greedy corporations and the SEC, and now I am taking on the Washington elites. https://t.co/XxW0M7kkw9 pic.twitter.com/adJVbz4tyn
— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) February 20, 2024
Deaton’s run, if successful, would unseat incumbent Senator Warren, who has served in the government body since 2013. The Massachusetts Senator has been one of the most vocal opponents of digital assets in the U.S. government, claiming the technology is primarily used for illicit purposes, including financing terrorist organizations.
On his campaign’s website, Deaton highlighted his role advocating for crypto as an attorney, including when he filed an amicus brief on behalf of XRP holders in a lawsuit between the SEC and Ripple. The lawyer has been an outspoken advocate of the rights of crypto investors, often criticizing the SEC and policymakers for its enforcement actions against digital assets.
Deaton’s campaign launch and website did not mention any political party affiliation, but he is reportedly running as a Republican. Senator Warren is running as a Democrat. Cointelegraph reached out to both Senator Warren’s and Deaton’s offices but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
Related: XRP lawyer John Deaton joins LBRY case as amicus curiae
According to data from the Federal Election Commission, Senator Warren had raised roughly $16 million for her 2024 reelection campaign as of Dec. 31, with roughly $4 million in cash on hand. Ahead of Deaton’s official campaign launch, she reportedly called for donations by citing a “big cheerleader for crypto interests” — i.e., Deaton — and claiming the “crypto lobby has put a target on [her] back.”
It’s unclear whether interest groups could contribute to Deaton’s Senate run. In an interview with Pod Save America released on Feb. 18, Senator Warren said some within the crypto industry had “giant buckets of money to spend” as part of efforts to challenge her support of the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act in Congress.
Deaton is considered by many to be a long shot in potentially unseating Senator Warren, who was viewed favorably by 41% of Massachusettsans, according to a 2023 poll by MassINC Polling Group. Election day for the candidates will be on Nov. 5.
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