Capitol Hill Police Officer Harry Dunn Loses Congressional Primary Campaign

Defeat Despite Endorsements and Financial Advantage

Harry Dunn, a Capitol Hill police officer who became known for his emotional public reactions to his involvement in the January 6th "insurrection", has been defeated in his Congressional primary campaign. Despite having the endorsements of prominent figures such as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), as well as a financial advantage over his primary opponents, Dunn, 40, was unable to secure a victory.

Victory for State Senator Sarah Elfreth

The primary for Maryland’s 3rd district saw 35-year-old state senator Sarah Elfreth emerge as the winner over Dunn. This result was announced by Decision Desk HQ on May 15, 2024.

Dunn's Political Leanings and Controversial Statements

Dunn's political views, which lean far to the left, were revealed during his emotional testimony before the House January 6 Committee in July 2021. During this testimony, he claimed that he had been more scared during the January 6 riot than he had been during his deployment in Iraq. Dunn has also been known to make anti-Trump statements and has shown tacit support for the BLM riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Allegations of Racial Abuse

In his media appearances, his testimony before Congress, and in his memoir published in October 2023, Dunn described being the target of severe racial abuse. He claimed that groups of "20, 30, 40, 50 people" surrounded him and chanted racial slurs during the riot. However, hundreds of hours of CCTV video evidence from the Capitol building on the day of the riot do not corroborate Dunn's account.

What's Your Take?

It's clear that Harry Dunn's campaign was fraught with controversy and polarizing views. Despite high-profile endorsements and a financial advantage, he was unable to secure a victory in the primary. What do you think about this outcome? Do you believe that Dunn's political leanings and controversial statements played a role in his defeat? Share your thoughts with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered to your inbox every day at 6pm.