John Deaton plans to make a ultimate resolution about operating for U.S. Senate by October, and he’s canvassing political consultants to assist him run a possible marketing campaign towards Sen. Ed Markey, he instructed the Herald in an interview.
Deaton stated earlier this yr that he was contemplating difficult Markey as a Republican. However he conditioned a bid on whether or not a Trump-endorsed candidate joined the fray, and if he believed he may elevate more cash than when he challenged U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren final yr.
“Well, those things sort of lined up. I don’t believe the White House is going to get involved in Massachusetts, so that’s good as far as I’m concerned,” Deaton stated. “I’ve went another step, I’ve started interviewing consultants. So am I telling you that I’m running? No, I haven’t announced. I am seriously considering it.”
The 57-year-old, who moved to Massachusetts final yr from Rhode Island, ran a well-financed marketing campaign towards Warren in 2024 that bought him by way of the Republican main in September. However he misplaced to Warren in November after pulling in 40% of the three.5 million votes solid.
Two different Republicans have floated themselves as potential candidates towards Markey within the 2026 midterm elections — former West Springfield City Councilor Nathan Bech and Westport Faculty Committee Chair Christopher Thrasher.
Markey stated final yr that he plans to hunt a 3rd time period
Deaton stated he has given himself till Oct. 1 to make a ultimate resolution.
“I’m only going to run if I truly believe that I can win and I know that a Republican hasn’t unseated a sitting Democrat for U.S. Senate in over a century. I know that people are going to think that a Republican can’t win in Massachusetts, especially with President Trump in office,” he stated.
However Deaton stated Massachusetts is in disaster.
“The affordability crisis is striking. The exodus is striking. And you have leaders like Markey talking nonsense like stopping natural gas, not considering nuclear energy, saying the same old stuff, green new deal by this date. Fairy tale, nonsensical stuff that will never happen,” he stated. “I think that voters have had enough. I believe that the right candidate against Markey can win, and I think that I can win.”
He stated he’s in search of a “non-traditional” crew to run his potential marketing campaign “on a more micro-targeted basis.”
“To give you an example, there are at least 1 million crypto holders in Massachusetts, whether they’re Coinbase customers or they own Bitcoin. If you add exposure to Bitcoin, ETFs, and you’re probably looking at more like a million and a half. And some of them are Democrats,” he stated.
Deaton, an legal professional who has targeted on cryptocurrency, stated he needs a political crew he can pull in folks from each events.
“I want a team that can find disenfranchised Democrats who will give me a chance, for example, who believe in technology and things like that. So that’s just an example,” Deaton stated. “Even though I believe in my heart that I can beat Markey, that’s going to rely on two things: I’ve got to be able to raise the money to beat Markey, and I’ve got to have the right approach to this campaign.”
