Sen. Elizabeth Warren secured a third term as a U.S. Senator against first-time political candidate John Deaton in a decisive win Tuesday night.
Flanked by blue streamers and American flags, Warren, the 75-year-old and former Harvard Law School professor, celebrated with supporters at the SoWa Power Station.
“Time after time, we fought side-by-side for over 12 years together,” Warren said. “This election is about you and the work we still need to do.”
Richard Guérin, who works in classical music, grew up in Massachusetts and said Warren has been “super active” by participating in bipartisan legislative efforts to bring “down the temperature” in divisive times.
“Everyone was nauseously optimistic,” he said. “It’s excitement and hope, but it’s at least 50% total fear of what might happen.”
As music blared in the background, Democratic supporters celebrated the victory while watching MSNBC live election coverage.
Ashley Demirali, a nurse practitioner at Atrius Health in Boston, took in the moment of excitement.
“It feels like Warren has been the center of our whole lives,” she said. “It’s awesome just to see such an amazing warrior for us go back to Washington.”
On Tremont Street at the top floor of Nash Bar and Stage, a table covered with copies of Deaton’s book, “Food Stamp Warrior,” welcomed supporters alongside American flags.
Deaton, a U.S. marine veteran and cryptocurrency advocate, moved to Massachusetts from Rhode Island in January.
About 100 Deaton supporters, wearing American flag pins and large stickers of his face, looked down at their phones as the Associated Press projection came through at 8:04 p.m. Despite disappointed head shakes, there were few reactions from supporters.
“John Deaton is not going to drop out of anything,” said Marianna Stack, 75, of Springfield after hearing about Deaton’s loss.
Jim Hannigan, 69, Stack’s partner, nodded his head as the pair’s eyes remained glued to the television screens at the bar.
“This is just the start of his career,” Hannigan said of Deaton. “He’s a leader. [Warren is] a politician. Now, we don’t need politicians, we’ve had enough.”
The couple, both registered Republicans, agreed they were “not surprised” about Deaton’s loss, but they’re still concerned about the future of the country.
“We need to turn everything in the opposite direction,” Stack said. “We’re driving off a cliff right now.”
Deaton’s eldest daughter, Olivia, introduced him for his final remarks. Deaton told the crowd in a short phone call with Warren, he told Warren she could call him if there was an issue he “could be helpful” with,” such as “issues we agree on.”
“We cannot let the career politicians in Washington, D.C., keep us divided,” Deaton said.
Deaton said now, after putting 35,000 miles on his car since Feb. 20, campaigning throughout the Commonwealth, he’s going to “sleep” and spend time with his five-year-old.
However, Deaton said he won’t stop his political efforts.
“Massachusetts is a clinical study in what’s wrong when one party rules,” Deaton said. “Massachusetts needs a strong, healthy Republican Party … I’m going to do whatever I can to bridge that gap.”
In an interview with reporters after his speech, Deaton said “both sides” of the political spectrum are “part of the problem.”
“Everyone wants to know, ‘Are you a Donald Trump Republican, or are you a Charlie Baker Republican?’” Deaton said. “I’m a John Deaton Republican. I bring a perspective that Charlie Baker didn’t have. I bring a perspective that Donald Trump doesn’t have, and so I’m going to do whatever I can to improve Massachusetts.”
Sharief Jackson, 45, grew up in a “low income community” in Dorchester in a family with “conservative values.” He said he considers himself “one of the few African Americans who was exposed to a different perspective of how government should be managed.”
“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t excited,” Jackson said at the beginning of the night. “I’m hoping for a balanced democracy in Massachusetts.”
In her speech, Warren said she has passed climate legislation, levied taxes against billionaire corporations and handled the economy well during the COVID-19 pandemic during her time in office.
She said in the next six years, she wants to make child care affordable for everyone, increase housing accessibility and establish peace in the Middle East.
“Tonight, rest up, drink up,” Warren said. “But tomorrow, be ready to get back in the fight.”
