Deaton proposes targeted immigration reforms and housing plan in Massachusetts Senate race

John Deaton, the Republican challenger to Massachusetts Senate incumbent Ed Markey, detailed a platform focused on immigration enforcement, housing affordability, and vocational training on October 28. Deaton, a veteran attorney and Marine Corps alumnus, seeks to position himself as an independent-minded candidate who will vote across party lines. He stated he has never voted for Donald Trump and intends to add team members from Latino, African American, and Asian communities to review legislation from those perspectives. “If I get a seat at the table, you’ll have a seat at the table,” Deaton said.

On immigration, Deaton proposed objective criteria to grant temporary legal status to long-term residents who work or study and have no criminal record. The status would include a three-year probationary period leading to permanent residency and eventual citizenship. He cited a fee ranging from $500 to $5,000, though the exact amount remains undetermined. Deaton also supported a path to citizenship for eligible DACA recipients and addressed the backlog of family-based petitions that can wait up to 10 years. He referenced the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, which granted legal status to approximately 2.7 million people, as a precedent.

Deaton argued for reforming Immigration and Customs Enforcement rather than abolishing it. He proposed a model similar to Secure Communities, where ICE would remove undocumented individuals with serious criminal convictions from local jails. “Abolish ICE is not a policy. It’s a slogan,” he stated. He criticized both open borders and masked agents removing long-term residents from public places. Deaton noted that Latino citizens in Lawrence avoid dining out due to fear of ICE harassment.

The candidate addressed cost-of-living issues by highlighting that the median price for a single-family home in Massachusetts reached $665,000 in May 2026. He proposed a national plan to build five million homes on federal land, such as former military bases, over five years. Deaton also advocated for splitting insurance companies that control more than 90% of the market. In the energy sector, he defended nuclear and natural gas power against costly mandates, noting that energy transmission costs can be four times the supply cost.

For economic development, Deaton emphasized vocational training in trades like electrical work and welding, which he believes will remain secure against artificial intelligence. He proposed a vocational GI Bill with credits and scholarships to help young people start businesses without significant student debt. For cities with high Latino populations, such as Lawrence, Lowell, and other areas, he suggested tax credits and business zones with preferential tax treatment for small business owners.

Markey, who has served in Congress since 1977, advocates for abolishing ICE and expanding pathways to citizenship. His office reported that more than 7,000 Salvadoran residents in Massachusetts hold Temporary Protected Status. Markey recently introduced the SPARK Act to provide grants and low-cost loans to small businesses in underserved communities. A MassINC poll from early October showed Markey leading with 54% support compared to 28% for Deaton. Voters will cast ballots in the general election on November 3.

Deaton moved from Rhode Island to Massachusetts in 2024 for his first Senate campaign. He previously worked as a forklift driver and server before attending New England School of Law. He served seven years as a Marine Corps lawyer and has represented workers with asbestos-related cancer for 25 years. The race includes nine ballot questions regarding state policy.