Attorney John Deaton, a prominent advocate for the cryptocurrency industry, has officially announced his candidacy for a United States Senate seat in Massachusetts. In a video released on Feb. 20, Deaton emphasized his mission to challenge the Washington elites and criticized Senator Elizabeth Warren for her lack of accomplishments. While Deaton did not explicitly mention digital assets as a campaign issue, the video included a photo of a headline highlighting his role in advocating for crypto against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with Deaton wearing an XRP shirt. The focus of the launch video was primarily on domestic issues such as inflation and border security.
Deaton’s bid for the Senate seat would mean unseating incumbent Senator Warren, who has been a vocal opponent of digital assets, often associating the technology with illicit activities. On his campaign website, Deaton highlighted his work as an attorney advocating for crypto, including filing an amicus brief on behalf of XRP holders in the SEC vs. Ripple lawsuit. He has consistently criticized the SEC and policymakers for their enforcement actions against digital assets, positioning himself as a champion for the rights of crypto investors.
Although Deaton did not mention any political party affiliation in his campaign launch and website, he is reportedly running as a Republican, while Senator Warren is running as a Democrat. Despite reaching out to both offices, Cointelegraph did not receive a response from either Senator Warren’s or Deaton’s office at the time of publication.
According to data from the Federal Election Commission, Senator Warren had raised approximately $16 million for her 2024 reelection campaign as of Dec. 31, with $4 million in cash on hand. Prior to Deaton’s official campaign launch, she called for donations by citing him as a “big cheerleader for crypto interests” and claiming that the “crypto lobby has put a target on [her] back.”
It remains uncertain whether interest groups will be able to contribute to Deaton’s Senate run. In a recent interview with Pod Save America, Senator Warren expressed concerns about the significant financial resources available to some within the crypto industry, who are actively challenging her support for the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act in Congress.
Deaton faces an uphill battle in his attempt to unseat Senator Warren, who maintains a favorable rating of 41% among Massachusettsans, according to a 2023 poll conducted by the MassINC Polling Group. The election is scheduled for Nov. 5.
Magazine:
Proposed crypto regulations in the United States are being driven by lawmakers’ fear and doubt.