Attorney John Deaton, who has supported the cryptocurrency sector, formally announced his candidacy for the US Senate from Massachusetts, but he made no mention of digital assets in his platform.In a video posted on his X account on February 20, Deaton declared that the main goal of his campaign would be to “take on the Washington elites,” alleging that Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts “gets nothing done.”In the video, there was a picture of a headline from Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly that mentioned Deaton’s involvement in defending cryptocurrency against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the United States, along with the lawyer’s wearing an XRP shirt.The premiere video, on the other hand, concentrated on national concerns like border security and inflation.
“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.
If Deaton’s campaign is successful, Senator Warren, the current member of the legislature, who has held the position since 2013, will be removed.The senator from Massachusetts has been among the most outspoken critics of digital assets in the American government, arguing that the technology is largely utilized for illegal activities, such as funding terrorist groups.Deaton touted his work as an attorney supporting cryptocurrency on his campaign website, citing his filing of an amicus brief on behalf of XRP holders in a litigation between the SEC and Ripple, among other instances.The attorney has been a vocal supporter of cryptocurrency investors’ rights and has frequently criticized the SEC and legislators for their legal measures against digital assets.
Despite appearing to be a Republican, Deaton did not identify his political party during the beginning of his campaign or on his website.As a Democrat, Senator Warren is seeking office.At the time of publication, Cointelegraph has not heard back from the offices of Senators Warren or Deaton.
As of December 31, Senator Warren had raised around $16 million for her 2024 reelection campaign, with approximately $4 million in cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission records.She apparently solicited funds before of Deaton’s formal campaign start, identifying Deaton as a “big cheerleader for crypto interests” and alleging the “crypto lobby has put a target on [her] back.”It is unclear if interest groups will be able to support Deaton’s Senate campaign.Senator Warren stated in an interview with Pod Save America that was published on February 18 that there were people in the cryptocurrency space with “giant buckets of money to spend” in an attempt to discredit her backing of the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act in Congress.
A 2023 MassINC Polling Group poll found that 41% of Massachusettsans thought favorably of Senator Warren, whom many believed to be a hard shot to unseat.The candidates’ election day is set for November 5.