Massachusetts news outlets are reporting that Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and Republican candidate John Deaton will debate each other twice before the 2024 election, on Oct. 15 and Oct. 17.
According to an Oct. 7 notice from New England Public Media, the outlet and GBH News will host a debate in Springfield between the two senatorial candidates on Oct. 17, moderated by political reporters Adam Reilly and Saraya Wintersmith. Sen. Warren and Deaton will also appear in Boston to debate on Oct. 15 on WSBK-TV.
It’s unclear if digital assets will be a topic between the two candidates at either debate. Cointelegraph contacted GBH News, who said it would not share the topics in advance.
Future of crypto policy in US Senate?
During her time in office, Sen. Warren has been outspoken about her criticism of cryptocurrency, associating digital assets with funding illicit activities. Deaton, a lawyer, has backed Ripple and other crypto firms facing litigation from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Several September polls showed Sen. Warren with more than a 20-point lead over Deaton in an election many expect to be a referendum on crypto policy. The Republican candidate claimed on social media that the SEC is “pursuing an anti-crypto agenda” through its enforcement actions and criticized chair Gary Gensler.
Many Democratic lawmakers and candidates have called on members of the party to change their “hostility” toward the crypto industry as presidential candidate Kamala Harris runs against Republican Donald Trump in November. After announcing her candidacy in July, Vice President Harris made her first public statement on digital assets in September, pledging support for the industry.
Commonwealth Unity Fund, a political action committee backed by many crypto proponents, and Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss have supported Deaton’s campaign through contributions or media buys.
According to Federal Election Commission records, as of Aug. 14, Deaton had raised roughly $1.8 million in his bid for the US Senate in 2024, with roughly $830,000 in cash on hand. Senator Warren had raised roughly $19 million since January 2019 and had roughly $5.3 million in cash on hand as of Aug. 14.
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