Lawrence Damilola
John Deaton, a prominent pro-crypto attorney and advocate for Ripple (XRP), has won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts.
In the November general election, Deaton will face off against incumbent Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren. Deaton’s victory marks a significant development in the Massachusetts senatorial race, with his campaign receiving substantial backing from the cryptocurrency industry.
According to a report by the Associated Press, Deaton secured 64% of the vote in the Republican primary, defeating two other candidates—industrial engineer Bob Antonellis and Quincy City Council president Ian Cain. At the time of reporting, 43% of the total votes in Massachusetts had been counted.
Deaton’s campaign benefited greatly from support of the crypto community, including endorsements from Ripple executives Chris Larsen and Brad Garlinghouse, Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci, and Cardano co-founder Charles Hoskinson.
The Commonwealth Unity Fund, a political action committee (PAC) focused on supporting crypto-friendly candidates, distributed more than $1 million in Massachusetts to back Deaton’s Senate campaign. Federal Election Commission records show that Deaton had raised roughly $1.7 million for his bid as of July 31. In his victory speech, posted on X, Deaton did not mention crypto despite the strong support from the industry.
Deaton, known for defending Ripple in its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has been vocal about his support for more favorable crypto industry regulations.
Following his primary victory, Caitlin Long, CEO of the crypto-friendly Custodia Bank, expressed her support. “CONGRATS John Deaton… Gonna be fun to watch you take on Elizabeth Warren in the general election.” She also suggested that Warren may be “on the outside in the Dem Party these days,” she said.
Deaton highlighted the significance of his win in his post-election remarks. “Only in America, it’s someone like me be elected to take on one of Washington’s most entrenched elites,” he said.
His rise in popularity among crypto proponents is closely tied to his public criticism of Elizabeth Warren’s stance on crypto regulation. Bill Morgan, a pro-XRP lawyer, pointed out that traditional political analysts underestimated Deaton’s influence in the crypto community, particularly due to his involvement in the SEC v. Ripple case.
Warren, currently running unopposed for the Democratic nomination, is seeking her third term in the Senate. A Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee member, she has been an outspoken critic of the crypto industry. She has argued that digital assets can be used to facilitate terrorism, spying, malware, and drug abuse. Warren has introduced several legislative measures to increase oversight of cryptocurrencies, reflecting her concerns about their impact on national security and the financial system.
The upcoming elections will likely attract attention from both the political and crypto communities. In previous elections, Warren demonstrated her strong appeal among Massachusetts voters. She narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Scott Brown in 2012 and won over 60% of the vote in 2018. As she gears up for another campaign, she remains a prominent figure in the debate over financial regulation and digital assets.
Lawrence does not hold any crypto asset. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
