Pelosi endorses Dunn for US House seat
Former House Speaker and current U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi on Friday endorsed former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, a Democrat running for the 3rd Congressional District seat in Maryland.
In a statement provided by Dunn’s campaign, Pelosi, a Democrat from California, remarked on Dunn’s heroism in defending the Capitol Building during the violent attack on Jan. 6, 2021.
“I saw Officer Dunn’s courage firsthand in the face of unprecedented violence and insurrection on January 6th, when he stood firm to protect the Capitol, the Constitution and democracy itself,” Pelosi said in the statement. “I am personally grateful for the life-saving protection that he provided to my staff, to me and to so many others in the Capitol. All are in awe of his generosity and conviction in sharing his harrowing story from that dark day, testifying before our Select Committee to Investigate January 6th.”
As speaker at the time, Pelosi selected the members of the committee. Dunn recounted his experiences on Jan. 6 in his memoir “Standing My Ground.”
Pelosi, a Baltimore native, said she had confidence in his ability to “deliver real results for the people of Maryland’s 3rd District.”
Dunn a U.S. Capitol Police officer for 15 years, lives in Montgomery County. He faces 21 opponents in the Democratic primary including longtime area lawmakers like state Sen. Sarah Elfreth, who represents parts of Anne Arundel, including Annapolis, and state
Sen. Clarence Lam, who represents parts of Howard County and Anne Arundel.
Since entering the race in January, Dunn has surged to a lead in fundraising, pulling in $3.7 million and spending more than $2 million in three months, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission Monday night. Elfreth has raised $513,109 since Jan. 1 and spent $317,780. Lam raised $283,763 in the same period and spent $107,867.
Dunn was criticized at a Democratic candidate forum Wednesday night for not living in the district he’s seeking to represent. The Silver Spring resident was born on Andrews Air Force Base and raised in Prince George’s County, he said.
Though he’s never lived in Anne Arundel, Howard County or Carroll, the areas the seat covers, he said he’s very familiar with the area; he has a sister living in Glen Burnie and attends church in Columbia. He said he would likely move into the district if he wins the race. The Democratic primary winner will face the Republican nominee chosen from a crowd of nine candidates.
In a statement, Dunn said Pelosi is one figure who inspired him to run for the seat.
“With her support, I am more determined than ever to fight for working families, protect our democracy, and ensure a brighter future for all Marylanders,” he said in a statement Friday. “Speaker Pelosi’s endorsement reaffirms our shared vision for progress and strengthens our resolve to tackle the pressing challenges facing our communities.”
The primary election is May 14.