Politics

MassGOP officially endorses Senate candidate John Deaton

The early endorsement could help clear the field of potential primary challengers. It also stands to help the party financially.

John Deaton at a press conference in front of the Massachusetts State House in October 2024. Andrew Burke-Stevenson for The Boston Globe

By Ross Cristantiello

November 21, 2025

2 minutes to read

John Deaton, the Republican running for the seat held by Sen. Ed Markey next year, officially earned the endorsement of the Massachusetts Republican Party this week.

The endorsement appears likely to clear the primary field of other potential Republican challengers, allowing Deaton to focus his campaign on attacking Democrats and winning over the wider electorate. Deaton ran as a moderate against Sen. Elizabeth Warren last year, eventually losing with only 40% of the vote to Warren’s 60%. The early embrace of Deaton once again shows that the MassGOP remains more confident in his brand of politics at the statewide level, compared to other potential candidates that may have run further to the right and appealed to ardent supporters of President Donald Trump.

MassGOP confirmed the endorsement in a social media post early Friday morning, after the Republican State Committee met Thursday night and voted to support Deaton. MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale issued a statement Friday morning.

“In a bold move designed to overcome one of the advantages of incumbency, the Massachusetts Republican Party overwhelmingly voted to endorse John Deaton for U.S. Senate,” she said. “John represents the epitome of the American dream. He overcame extreme poverty to build a successful life, and now wants the same for residents of Massachusetts who are struggling to make it. The MassGOP and John Deaton are now squarely focused on defeating a 50 year career politician who has been absent for far too long from the Bay State.”

Neither Deaton’s campaign nor Markey’s responded to requests for comment Friday.

There was debate at the MassGOP meeting, with some State Committee members arguing against such an early endorsement. However, a deciding factor was the potential for Deaton to help the party secure much-needed funding, per Politico.

Deaton has “pledged to invest his personal funds and maintains a large circle of wealthy donors,” according to a letter circulated among State Committee members supportive of Deaton that was obtained by The Boston Globe earlier this month.

Deaton is receptive to setting up a potentially lucrative joint fundraising agreement with national Republicans, the Globe reported. State Committee members referenced this possibility while making the argument in favor of endorsing Deaton, according to Politico.

Other candidates can still jump into the race, but securing enough support from delegates at the party’s convention next year could be a tall task.

Markey, a progressive stalwart who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976, will be 80 years old on Election Day next year. Although he is adamant that he has plenty of energy for another six-year term in the Senate, his age could be a major liability in the primary.

Rep. Seth Moulton, the 47-year-old North Shore Democrat who is challenging Markey, is using the argument for generational change as a central pillar of his campaign. Polling from earlier this month shows Markey with a considerable lead over Moulton. But the primary could see a major shakeup if Rep. Ayanna Pressley throws her hat into the ring. She is reportedly considering a run, and could eat away at Markey’s support among progressives.

Deaton is a cryptocurrency advocate and personal injury lawyer who was a newcomer to electoral politics when he challenged Warren last year. He grew up poor in Detroit before joining the marines and attending law school in Boston.

He has spoken highly of former Gov. Charlie Baker and is not a Trump supporter. His campaign is focusing on affordability concerns and arguments that “career politicians” like Markey, Warren, and Moulton are out of touch with Massachusetts residents.