GOP Senate candidate John Deaton willing to change parties over federal abortion ban

BOSTON — Republican candidate for U.S. Senate John Deaton said he is willing to switch parties if conservative leaders in Washington attempted to force a vote on a national abortion ban in a divided chamber.

Deaton, who moved to Massachusetts this year from Rhode Island and is challenging Elizabeth Warren, said he is “incapable” of supporting policies that would restrict the rights of his three daughters, supported the state’s laws on abortions and would work to codify Roe vs. Wade.

The personal injury attorney and cryptocurrency advocate looking to unseat U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said he could “single-handedly stop a federal abortion ban from entering the Senate floor.”

“I would look at the leadership and say, ‘you put that on the floor, I’ll switch parties,’” Deaton told a group of reporters outside the State House Tuesday morning. “Understand, that’s how committed I am. And I think it’s time that we had someone like that, someone who is not just loyal to a party, an agenda, or a person, someone who is loyal to Massachusetts voters and this country.”

A Warren spokesperson said whichever party runs the U.S. Senate will determine which bills and judicial nominees get votes and which don’t.

“Republican control is a risk that Massachusetts cannot afford to take,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Sen. Warren looks forward to debating her Republican opponent on this and other critical issues facing the Commonwealth two weeks from (Tuesday).”

Warren and Deaton are scheduled to face off in two debates — one on Oct. 15 in Boston and another on Oct. 17 in Springfield, according to Deaton’s campaign.

Deaton beat out two other conservatives last month in the Republican primary for the chance to take on Warren, who automatically advanced to the general election in November because she faced no Democratic challenger.

The Republican has so far built his campaign issues around immigration, income equality and reproductive rights, among others. And in some areas, he has admitted that he holds positions more closely aligned with the Democratic party.

But Deaton said he was an independent for most of his life and joined the College Republicans at 18 years old.

“I’ve always had this center-right thing but I’ve also donated to Democrats. I’ve voted for Democrats and I voted for Republicans,” he said. “I’m a proud Republican. I’m a proud John Deaton, Massachusetts Republican.”

Deaton is trailing in local polls with only five weeks until voters cast their ballots.

A University of New Hampshire poll released last month found Warren had a “comfortable” Lead over Deaton, with 58% of likely voters saying they would cast their ballots for Warren and only 32% for Deaton.

Another poll from the MassINC Polling Group found Warren ahead with 56% of the likely vote compared to Deaton’s 35%.

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