It’s take two for John Deaton.
After the Republican candidate tried to unseat U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren last year, Deaton now has his sights on U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, 79.
Deaton, 58, officially launched his 2026 campaign on Monday evening in Worcester — becoming the first Republican to announce a Senate run for next year.
On the Democratic side, Congressman Seth Moulton is challenging Markey in the primary.
Deaton — a Marine veteran, attorney, and small business owner — focused on affordability and targeting “career politicians” in his launch video on the eve of Veterans Day.
“Our Commonwealth is headed down the wrong path,” Deaton says in the video. “Families here are struggling as home prices, energy costs and grocery bills continue to rise.
“Our leaders should be doing their jobs to help Massachusetts families, but they’re all career politicians and they’re failing,” he adds, showing clips of Markey, Warren and Moulton.
In Moulton’s recent campaign launch, the congressman emphasized Markey’s age and long time in Congress. Markey will be 80 years old next year.
Deaton also went after Markey for his nearly 50 years in office.
“Ed Markey is MIA, rarely seen here, and rarely delivering results in Washington, a place he’s called home since the 70s,” Deaton says. “Massachusetts can do better.”
Deaton’s website says he would fight for term limits in Congress.
Last year, he cruised in the Republican Senate primary. He received more than 64% of the vote, compared to Robert Antonellis receiving about 26% and Ian Cain’s 9%.
Then in the 2024 general election, Warren handily defeated Deaton — nearly 60% for Warren compared to 40% for Deaton.
In his launch video, Deaton said he “started with nothing, a broken home, battling poverty and violence, living on food stamps.”
Then after the Marines, he earned a degree and “built a business from the ground up with grit, determination and hard work.”
“Our leaders should reflect us,” he added. “They should face down challenges with the same grit, overcome obstacles with our same determination. Most of all, be an independent voice for Massachusetts.”
The campaign launch video ends with him playing with his daughter at a playground.
His daughter climbing up ropes challenges him, “One more time, Dad.”
Deaton responds, “Oh, yeah. I’m winning this time.”
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