Editor’s Note: This story, by George Lehman, was written as part of the Boston University Statehouse Program and done exclusively for YourArlington.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton made his case for being an “independent voice” for Massachusetts voters during a roundtable interview, arguing that he would prioritize communities across the state if elected this November.
Deaton sat down with reporters from six Greater Boston news organizations in Brookline for an hour-long conversation last week, explaining his stances on capping local property taxes, providing affordable health care and addressing high housing and energy prices, along with the role he could play in Congress if he unseats Democratic incumbent Senator Ed Markey.
Markey and Deaton will face off in the state election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“We have one-party rule, and I think that one-party rule always leads to arrogance and even corruption, and I would feel that way if it was Republicans,” he said.
Deaton, 59, was born in Highland Park, Michigan. While being raised by a single mother, he lived on welfare programs such as food stamps, an experience he describes as central to the issues his campaign highlights. While known for his reputation as a cryptocurrency advocate, he said his interest in digital currency stemmed from watching his mother pay expensive bank fees as a child.
He moved to Boston after being accepted to the New England School of Law in 1992. Deaton served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1995 to 2002 before medically retiring. Later, he went on to represent mesothelioma and cancer victims in Massachusetts for more than two decades and now resides in Bolton.
Deaton first entered the state’s political realm with an unsuccessful bid against Democratic incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2024. He ran uncontested in the Republican primary earlier this month, putting him on track to face Markey on Nov. 3.
Despite having an ‘R’ next to his name on this year’s ballot, the Republican candidate said he would “actually give Massachusetts a real, true independent voice in the Senate,” adding that such a perspective has been missing on Capitol Hill.
Securing federal funds instead of repealing Proposition 2½
Arlington voters in March approved an operating override of $14.8 million of the Proposition 2½ tax cap – the state law that limits annual property tax increases to 2.5% plus new growth – helping to fund town and school operating costs.
Deaton has been outspoken during his campaign about local officials who favor repealing the tax cap, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, arguing elected officials should re-evaluate how money is spent rather than raise taxes.
“At some point, you got to do what every household in America does, which is live within your means instead of just increasing spending and saying, ‘well, just make the taxpayers pay more and more,'” Deaton said.
The federal government has issued a series of cuts to the money it sends back to states, most recently with President Donald Trump on Sept. 25 canceling $1 billion in funding that has been already approved by Congress.
When asked whether Massachusetts should receive more or less funding, he said the state needs a senator “who is fighting to get those federal tax dollars that our citizens pay the federal government,” noting Massachusetts sent more money to the federal government than it received per person in fiscal 2024.
Health care needs a ‘revolution’
While Markey has been a longtime advocate of Medicare for All, Deaton said he does not believe universal health care is the solution to providing affordable medical care. But that doesn’t mean the government shouldn’t be involved in health care.
“What I say to Republicans who challenge me on this is, I say, ‘The federal government is involved in everything,'” Deaton said, and that the claim government can’t be involved in health care is “insanity” to him.
Deaton blamed the Affordable Care Act for rising health care costs in the state, saying the federal legislation paved the way for a small group of insurance companies to build monopolies that consolidate health insurance, pharmacies and clinics across the nation.
As a remedy, he argued the need for a “revolution” in American health insurance.
“[You] completely have to gut that whole system, demand transparency on every drug price, what the actual cost is, [and] what the markup is,” Deaton said.
Housing and energy costs go hand in hand
Deaton also argued that lowering energy prices is necessary to address high housing costs in Massachusetts. He said “red tape” prevents developers from building, and advocated for the expanded use of natural gas and nuclear energy, alongside electric and green energy sources already established as part of the state’s green energy initiatives.
“Reform zoning, reform permitting, [and] these green energy mandates are crashing Massachusetts,” Deaton said. “Everyone takes housing and energy separate as issues. They’re combined.”
Arlington has requirements generally prohibiting the installation of any equipment or appliances that use natural gas and are part of a major residential or nonresidential renovation project, with certain exceptions such as large multifamily buildings that use gas for water heating.
Working across party lines in Washington
Deaton said that while Markey and Rep. Seth Moulton, who both ran in the Democratic primary, were arguing over who “is going to fight Trump the hardest,” his willingness to work with Trump and across the aisle in Washington sets him apart from Markey.
“We all know that the ‘R’ in front of my name is a very difficult thing for people to get past in Massachusetts,” Deaton said. “What I would say to the voters is just get past the label and look and see who has better solutions to the problems of everyday people in Massachusetts.”
This story, published on Sept. 30, 2026 is part of a partnership between YourArlington and the Boston University Statehouse program.
