DEDHAM—The Massachusetts Republican Party delivered one of the most decisive political moves of the 2026 cycle Thursday night, voting in Dedham to endorse attorney and cryptocurrency advocate John Deaton for the United States Senate. The early endorsement instantly reshaped the race and signaled that state Republicans are ready to rally behind a single candidate months before the primary even begins.

Deaton, a Marine veteran and nationally known cryptocurrency advocate, returns to the political arena only one year after earning more than 1.34 million votes in his challenge to Sen. Elizabeth Warren. That performance marked the strongest showing for a Republican Senate candidate in Massachusetts in many years and cemented Deaton as a serious contender with real crossover appeal. With no other Republicans currently in the race, he is now positioned for a general election showdown with either incumbent Sen. Ed Markey or Democratic challenger Rep. Seth Moulton.

The endorsement resolution was sponsored by Geoff Diehl, the former GOP nominee for United States Senate in 2018 and for governor in 2022, and passed with strong support from the State Committee. Party leadership acknowledged that defeating a long-serving Democratic incumbent will require discipline, organization, and a candidate who can connect with the wide middle of the electorate. Deaton’s life story and performance in 2024 made him the clear favorite to carry that mission.

MassGOP chair Amy Carnevale praised Deaton as someone who understands the challenges ordinary Massachusetts residents face. She said the party wanted to act early to begin building the kind of statewide operation necessary to take on a Democrat who has been in Washington since the Ford administration. Carnevale stressed that Deaton has overcome poverty, built a successful career, and now wants to bring the same opportunity to families who feel left behind in a state with the highest costs of living in the country.

Deaton says the endorsement gives Republicans a unified starting point and the momentum needed to expand their reach beyond the party’s base. He often points to the broad coalition he attracted in 2024, which included independents and moderate Democrats unhappy with the direction of the state. He argues that many voters are growing tired of the same entrenched political class that has controlled Massachusetts for decades.

Concerns were raised at the meeting about whether an early endorsement would discourage other Republicans from entering the race, but Deaton pushed back firmly. He noted that the nomination process remains open and that any candidate can still get on the ballot. The endorsement, he said, reflects the committee’s recognition of his statewide performance, his clear path to victory in the primary, and his growth as a candidate.

Deaton, who has said publicly that he has never voted for Donald Trump, has emphasized that he is willing to work with whoever is elected president. He often cites his years in the Marine Corps, noting that service members do their duty regardless of whether they personally agree with the Commander in Chief. He argues that Congress should be held to the same standard and that voters are exhausted by politicians who refuse to govern if their preferred party is not in control.

The candidate has also been direct about what he sees as the consequences of one-party dominance in Massachusetts. He points to soaring housing costs, sluggish job growth in the private sector, thousands of residents leaving each year, and the strain placed on the state by its handling of the migrant crisis. Deaton says these issues will only worsen if Republicans continue to hold zero federal seats and remain shut out of decision-making.

With ten months until the primary, the early endorsement gives Deaton a head start in fundraising, organization, and voter outreach. It also sets up one of the most consequential Senate races the state has seen in years. Whether Democrats nominate Markey or Moulton, the party will face a challenger with proven statewide appeal, a compelling personal story, and growing support from voters fed up with the political status quo.

For Republicans, the message from Thursday night was unmistakable. The 2026 campaign is underway, and John Deaton is the candidate they believe can finally put a Massachusetts Senate seat back in play.