WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
Fmr. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn Launches Congressional Bid
“Jan. 6 hero Harry Dunn could be a huge help to Dems in Congress”
“Jan. 6 Hero Cop Joining 3rd District Congressional Race”
“Harry Dunn Defended the Capitol on Jan. 6. Now He Is Running to Work There”
Columbia, MD — Last week, Officer Harry Dunn, who bravely defended the Capitol against violent insurrectionists on January 6th, 2021, announced his campaign for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District. As a lifelong Marylander, Dunn is running to continue protecting democratic values in the face of Republican extremism, and to stand up for everyday Marylanders.
The announcement received overwhelming coverage from local and national outlets, highlighting Dunn’s commanding launch for the race. Take a look at the major momentum for Harry Dunn’s campaign:
MSNBC Morning Joe: I want a voice at the table’: Fmr. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn announces run for Congress
MSNBC Jonathan Capehart: Fmr. Capitol Police Officer announces run for Congress
MSNBC Symone Sanders: From law enforcement to lawmaker: Why Harry Dunn is running for Congress
MSNBC Blog: Jan. 6 hero Harry Dunn could be a huge help to Dems in Congress
CBS Baltimore: Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn announces bid for Congress in Maryland
CNN: Former Capitol police officer Harry Dunn running for office
Baltimore Sun: Capitol Police officer who was on duty during Jan. 6 insurrection to seek Maryland US House seat
- “Dunn, who grew up in Prince George’s County, told a House committee in July 2021 of being called racial epithets as he sought to protect the building from supporters of former President Donald Trump, a Republican, who had stormed the Capitol seeking to block Congress from finalizing the presidential vote count declaring Democrat Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 election.”
Baltimore Banner: Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn joins candidates vying to follow John Sarbanes to Congress
- “Dunn, a decorated former U.S. Capitol police officer, launched his campaign on Friday, almost exactly three years after he endured racist slurs as he defended the Capitol against a violent, pro-Donald Trump mob.”
Maryland Matters: Jan. 6 Hero Cop Joining 3rd District Congressional Race
- “On Friday, Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol police officer who attracted national attention after he engaged in hand-to-hand combat with rioters during the Jan. 6 insurrection, plans to enter the race.”
- “Dunn, 40, has been among the most high-profile police officers who battled the unruly mob on Jan. 6, and recently published a book about his life and his experiences during the insurrection, ‘Standing My Ground: A Capitol Police Officer’s Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th.’ He resigned last month after 15 years on the force.”
New York Times: Harry Dunn, Who Defended Capitol on Jan. 6, Will Run for Congress
- “We’re literally an election away from the extinction of democracy as we know it. Trump is gaining even more traction, and his supporters are getting even stronger and more emboldened and we need people that are willing to step up and fight back.”
- “If elected, Mr. Dunn said he would fight for women’s reproductive rights, ‘common sense’ gun reform, voting rights and affordable health care, among other priorities.”
Washington Post: He defended the Capitol on Jan. 6. Now he’s running for Congress.
- “… I believe that now, with this open seat in the district, it gives me an opportunity to continue to fight more for the country, the Constitution and the people of Maryland’s 3rd District.”
- “Dunn said he was frustrated that some congressional Republicans were misrepresenting the events of Jan. 6 and were not supportive of the Capitol Police or D.C. police officers who fought to protect them. Twenty-one House Republicans voted against awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to all police officers who responded on Jan. 6. The frustration Dunn felt is part of what he said led him to consider running for Congress.”
Politico: Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn launches run for Congress in Maryland
- “I like to live by the phrase, ‘Until there’s nothing that can be done, there’s always something that can be done,’“ Dunn said in an interview. “As a Capitol Police officer, I did all that I can do in that role to protect, defend, and preserve democracy. But that is exhausted now.”
- “‘I truly believe that is one of the reasons why, because I am no stranger to public service. I spent the last 15 plus years of my life dedicated not only to public service, but to defending democracy,’ he said.”
CNN Opinion: The brutality and racism I saw on Jan. 6
- “The chaos and violence that unfolded on the grounds of the Capitol, a place I swore to protect, shook me to the core. The wounds experienced by me and my heroic fellow officers during that violent attack are still healing. But my commitment to ensuring the strength of our democracy has only deepened. It’s the reason I’ve decided to run for Congress.”
- “I’ve made it my personal mission to share my story, speak truth to power and work to ensure this never happens again. That’s why a few weeks ago, I retired from the police force, and that’s why I announced my campaign to run for Congress in Maryland’s Third Congressional District.”
And more coverage…
- ABC News: Harry Dunn, Capitol Police officer on Jan. 6, announces run for Congress
- Axios: Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn launches bid for Congress
- Black Enterprise: Former Capitol Police Officer Who Faced Insurrectionists Announces Bid For Congress
- CBS News: Ex-Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn announces congressional run in Maryland
- CNN: Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn announces bid for Congress
- The Hill: Former Capitol Police officer who testified before Jan 6 panel announces run for Congress
- The Messenger: Harry Dunn Defended the Capitol on Jan. 6. Now He Is Running to Work There
- People: Former Capitol Police Officer Who Gave Emotional Testimony About Jan. 6 Violence Launches Bid for Congress
- Semafor: Harry Dunn, Capitol police officer on Jan. 6, runs for Congress
- USA Today: Former Capitol Police officer who defended lawmakers on Jan. 6, 2021, runs for Congress
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About Officer Harry Dunn
Harry Dunn was raised here in Maryland by a family that taught him the values of duty, honor, and community. That’s why he became a Capitol Police Officer and served for over 15 years. And that’s why on January 6, 2021, he defended our nation’s Capitol from a violent insurrection bent on destroying our Democracy. Because for Harry Dunn, doing the right thing is a way of life.
Harry Dunn joined the U.S. Capitol police in 2008. On January 6, 2021, he was one of the brave officers who protected the country as a mob of insurrectionists attacked the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the presidential election. Officer Dunn protected the country from the insurrection as he experienced physical attacks and racial epithets from those storming the Capitol building.
In 2021, Harry Dunn and three other law enforcement officers testified before the bipartisan January 6th Committee, where he shared his account of what he experienced that day. January 6th was a frightening wake up call for our democracy, and our democracy is still standing because Harry and his fellow officers stood their ground.
In recognition of Officer Dunn’s role in protecting the U.S. Capitol, President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Citizens Medal. The medal is the second-highest award a civilian can get and is given by the president to “U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.” Officer Dunn said at the time, “I think it’s important to note that I accept this medal not as a Capitol Hill Police Officer, a job I have held for 15 years. Rather, I am here as an American. What I did on January 6, I did as a police officer. It was my job. But what I have done every day since, I do because I am an American.”
Harry Dunn joined the U.S. Capitol Police in 2008 and since 2011 served at the officer rank as a Private First Class. From 2009 to 2023, Officer Dunn served on a First Responder Unit responsible for maintaining perimeter security around the exterior of the U.S. Capitol, protecting Members of Congress, congressional staff and employees, and visitors to our nation’s Capitol. From 2017 to 2023, Officer Dunn served as a Police Training Officer responsible for guiding and training new officers once they have completed the Academy.
During his over 15 years with the U.S. Capitol Police, Harry Dunn provided security for scores of major events at the Capitol, including presidential inaugurations, joint sessions of Congress, and State of the Union addresses. He served as an Incident Commander responsible for responding to emergency situations, such as attempted breaches of the Capitol perimeter and the discovery of suspicious packages. In addition, Officer Dunn has served as a Crisis Intervention Officer responsible for assisting individuals who may be experiencing a mental crisis, and as a member of Capitol Police Crisis Negotiation Teams trained to respond to hostage or barricade situations. Harry also worked to promote equity, diversity and inclusion within the Capitol Police.
Officer Dunn has received several awards and commendations for his exemplary service in the U.S. Capitol Police, including the Capitol Police Service Medal, the Capitol Police Achievement Medal, a Capitol Police Commendation, and a Congressional Gold Medal.
Harry Dunn is the son of a United States Air Force veteran and a former insurance claims analyst, and a brother to four sisters. He was born and raised in Prince George’s County and graduated from James Madison University in 2005 with a B.S. degree in Health Science with a concentration in public health education. A proud Duke Dog, Harry was a starter on the offensive line at JMU for four years and helped lead the team to their first ever national championship. He is the devoted father of one daughter, Daphne.