John Deaton, the lawyer best known for representing XRP (XRP-USD) holders in Ripple’s fight with the SEC, is stepping back into the political ring. Nearly two years after losing his first U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts, Deaton is running again, this time targeting Democratic incumbent Ed Markey in the 2026 election.
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At a campaign event Monday in Worcester, Deaton confirmed his plans and aired a new campaign video where he declared, “I’m winning this time.” He will again run as a Republican, setting up a potential rematch of the state’s broader debate over financial reform, crypto policy, and cost-of-living challenges.
Deaton Talks Cost of Living Over Crypto
While Deaton built his national profile through the XRP community, his 2026 campaign launch focused less on digital assets and more on economic issues. He framed the race as a fight for “working families” and lower living costs, leaving crypto as a secondary topic.
Still, his past clashes with Senator Elizabeth Warren over digital asset regulation continue to shape his image among voters who see him as one of crypto’s most outspoken advocates. During his 2024 campaign, Deaton was backed by executives from Ripple, Gemini, and Kraken, who contributed more than $360,000 to his campaign in the first quarter alone.
Crypto Advocate Deaton Takes Another Swing
Deaton rose to prominence after organizing XRP holders to intervene in Ripple Labs’ legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, a move that earned him broad support within the crypto industry. He remains a prominent figure among pro-crypto advocates who view regulation as overly restrictive and inconsistent.
This time, Deaton’s challenge could prove even tougher. Massachusetts leans heavily Democratic, and Senator Markey, who has served in Congress for more than four decades, remains a powerful figure in the state. Markey, now 79, has been vocal about environmental issues and once criticized crypto mining for its “extravagant electricity use.”
Building on Momentum from 2024
Deaton lost to Warren by roughly 700,000 votes in 2024 but quickly gained a national following for pushing crypto into mainstream political discussion. Mason Lynaugh, community director of Stand With Crypto, told Cointelegraph that Deaton’s second run could again energize digital asset voters.
“He’s going to have his own voters he’s going to cultivate that are very excited to see someone like him saying these types of things publicly,” Lynaugh said.
Whether that enthusiasm can translate into votes in a deep-blue state remains to be seen. XRP’s price rose 1.25% on the news. At the time of writing, XRP is sitting at $2.4212.
