Pro-crypto attorney John Deaton has gained the backing of notable figures, including billionaire Elon Musk and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, in his campaign to unseat Senator Elizabeth Warren as Massachusetts’ representative.
On October 21, Armstrong used the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to encourage Massachusetts crypto holders to support Deaton. He strongly criticized Senator Warren for her involvement in appointing Gary Gensler as SEC Chair and her role in undermining the crypto industry in the United States.
In his post, Armstrong highlighted Warren’s influence, writing:
“Crypto holders in MA should realize Sen Warren is the one who got Gary Gensler his job and encouraged him to (unlawfully) try and kill the crypto industry in America..”
Armstrong further accused Warren of advocating for excessive government control, labeling her as “anti-freedom.” He added:
“She is anti-freedom, thinks the government should run all financial services (similar to China), and has done enormous harm to this country.”
Elon Musk Joins the Conversation
Following Armstrong’s remarks, Musk expressed his support for Deaton with a simple “Yes” in response to the Coinbase CEO’s statement. Musk’s endorsement is consistent with his pro-crypto stance and support for figures like Donald Trump, who are also aligned with the cryptocurrency industry.
Widespread Crypto Support for Deaton
Armstrong and Musk’s endorsements add to a growing wave of crypto community support for Deaton. Earlier in the year, Ripple made a $1 million contribution to Deaton’s campaign through a political action committee known as the Commonwealth Unity Fund.
Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of Gemini, also called on voters in Massachusetts to back Deaton, emphasizing Warren’s damaging actions against the crypto sector. In July, Tyler and his brother Cameron Winklevoss donated $1 million to a super PAC supporting Deaton’s bid for the Senate.
Other influential figures in the crypto space, including Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson and Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, have similarly endorsed Deaton. They view him as a crucial defender of the crypto industry, positioning him as a counter to what they perceive as Warren’s anti-crypto agenda.
Deaton’s Strong Ties to Crypto
Deaton has built a reputation as a vocal advocate for the crypto sector, particularly through his involvement with Ripple XRP. His challenge to Warren, one of Congress’s most outspoken crypto critics, has positioned him as the preferred candidate among crypto enthusiasts.
However, Warren has not hesitated to criticize Deaton for his deep ties to the crypto industry. In a recent debate, she pointed out:
“80% of Mr. Deaton’s wealth is tied up in crypto, 90% of his campaign funding is coming from crypto, and 100% of his loyalty in Washington will be to crypto: that is corruption.”
Polls Show Warren Leading
Despite Deaton’s substantial backing from the crypto community, recent polls from earlier in October show Warren with a significant lead, holding 56% support compared to Deaton’s 34%.
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