Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis, known for her vocal support of cryptocurrency, has thrown her support behind Republican Ian Cain for a Senate seat in Massachusetts.
In a July 8 announcement, Cain’s campaign revealed Senator Lummis’ endorsement, highlighting his grasp of the “digital economy” and his enthusiasm for innovation. This endorsement may give Cain an advantage over his primary opponents, including engineer Robert Antonellis and crypto attorney John Deaton.
“From the border to blockchain, Ian Cain understands the issues facing his community and he will fight hard every day for the Commonwealth,” said Senator Lummis.
The endorsement from the Wyoming senator comes 57 days before the Massachusetts Republican primary and 120 days before the general election in the United States. Republicans are aiming to challenge incumbent Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic senator known for her strong anti-crypto stance since 2013. Senator Warren has been outspoken about the risks of cryptocurrencies, linking them to illicit financial activities.
John Deaton, a lawyer who has played a significant role in high-profile crypto legal cases, has been a vocal critic of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Senator Warren’s anti-crypto views. Deaton’s campaign outperformed Senator Warren’s in fundraising during the first quarter of 2024, with substantial contributions from crypto industry leaders, including executives from Gemini, Ripple, and Kraken.
Ian Cain, co-founder of Qubic Labs, began his campaign in April. At the time of publication, Federal Election Commission data on Cain’s fundraising efforts were not available, likely due to the timing of his campaign launch after the first-quarter 2024 filings. Cain has made numerous statements on his personal X account expressing his support for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, including his backing of the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century (FIT21) Act.
Contrary to lore widely promoted by people like @ewarren @SenWarren, the #blockchain & #digitalasset space is and has been seeking rules for operational clarity within the U.S.#FIT21 would establish a clear framework for digital assets in the U.S., identifying where and how… https://t.co/zuxtqESKUz
— Ian Cain (@ichuckcain) May 22, 2024
The endorsement by Senator Lummis is expected to bolster Cain’s campaign as the Massachusetts Republican primary approaches.