Harry Dunn

Harry Dunn earned a high school diploma from Surrattsville High School and bachelor's degree in health science from James Madison University in 2005. Dunn's career experience includes serving with the U.S. Capitol Police and working as a police training officer. He has also served as an activist.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Harry Dunn, I was born on Andrew’s Air Force Base and grew up within the district. I went to Surrattsville High School and then James Madison University, where I played as a football player and graduated with a degree in public health education. I’m a loving father and a fighter, having served 15+ years with the U.S. Capitol Police, and defended the Capitol alongside my colleagues on January 6th, 2021, when MAGA insurrectionists attacked the Hill in an attempt to overthrow election certification. I know what it takes to challenge and hold this administration accountable, and I aim to take on that responsibility from a seat in Congress.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I’m running on two key priorities: affordability and accountability. I will focus on making sure that everyday Americans can afford to live without having to choose between paying their utility bills and their groceries. No American should have to make that choice. We need to stop corporations from raising prices to make extra profits off of our people, especially during harsher times. We also need to hold this administration accountable for its rampant corruption and disregard of the constitution.Americans deserve leadership and government that listens to their constituents and is held accountable to their constituents. They people deserve a proper system of checks and balances to prevent rampant executive power as seen with the current administration. This also includes oversight on the actions of corporations and special interest groups who have bought our political leaders.We need to get corporate money and special interests out of politics. Our government seats are not meant to be bought and sold, which is exactly what happens when you have uncapped limits on outside spending within our elections.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

First and foremost, I am passionate about protecting Americans’ rights. Whether that be their freedom of protest and expression, voting, and bodily autonomy. This is especially important when the people were given rights and those rights are currently being threatened by extremists. I care deeply about making life more affordable for the working class people, whether that be in form of more accessible social services, medicare for all, and expanded tax credits for childcare.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Angie Craig, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, End Citizens United and Working Families Party

Campaign websiteDunn's campaign website stated the following:Foreign PolicyHarry believes that the United States is strongest when we stand with our allies, uphold democratic values, and use our global leadership responsibly. The current administration has dragged the United State’s reputation through international mud, and now into yet another war overseas. Their unpredictable actions on the world stage have weakened alliances, strained diplomatic relationships, and created unnecessary risks for American service members. We must rebuild trust, reaffirm our commitments, and ensure that the United States leads with principle, not impulse. In Congress, Harry will:Reaffirm and protect the United States commitment to NATO and other democratic partners, while ensuring that Congress maintains full authority over decisions of war and peace.Work to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force that has been abused as a pretense for the use of force time after time.Support a new war powers resolution that unambiguously limits President Trump’s use of force in Iran absent explicit Congressional approval.Ensure transparency and accountability in military operations, including clear objectives, oversight, and responsible exit strategies.Work to maintain and improve the longstanding U.S.–Israel alliance that has been in place for decades.Stand up for Palestinian civilians and fight for humanitarian aid.Repair and strengthen alliances that have been strained by unpredictable foreign‑policy decisions, restoring trust in America’s reliability as a partner.Reinstate U.S. Aid and support humanitarian efforts that respond to global crises, protect civilians, and promote stability guided by human need rather than political leverage. This includes restoring funding for global HIV prevention efforts.Support a recommitment to the Paris Climate Accord, strengthening cooperation on emissions reduction, clean‑energy development, and climate‑resilience strategies that protect both our planet and global security.Protect Our Federal WorkersUnder Donald Trump, the federal government lost over 300,000 workers this past year. Maryland’s 5th Congressional District has the highest concentration of federal workers outside of Washington, D.C. It is home to over 75,000 federal workers, many of whom were unjustly relieved of their positions, leaving essential federal positions vacant. Harry intends to restore federal government functions to full capacity, while also ensuring federal workers’ security against politics. In Congress, Harry will:Restore critical federal positions that were eliminated or left vacant, ensuring agencies have the staffing needed to fulfill their responsibilities.Support stricter oversight in the management of the federal workforce, requiring proper justification and impact analysis for workforce reductions.Support the Protect America’s Workforce Act to restore federal workers’ union rights for the nearly 1 million federal workers President Trump has stripped of the right to collectively bargain.Fight for accountability for government shutdowns that cripple federal workers and essential government functions.Harry Dunn's Plan to Protect the People's DemocracyThe events of January 6 had a profound impact on all Americans. The violence at the United States Capitol shook our nation and reminded us that democracy is not a given – it must be protected by smart laws, honorable lawmakers and brave citizens who will stand up for our Constitution. Harry Dunn was there on that fateful day, and he knows exactly what’s at stake in this election. In the years since, we have seen numerous attempts to weaken our democratic institutions. Attacks on voting rights, intimidation of elected and election officials, corporate and foreign influence and the rampant abuse of powers under Donald Trump have all shown why it is so important that we elect leaders to Congress who understand that our American way of life will not survive if we do not stand up to protect and strengthen our democracy.The examples are stark:According to the Brennan Center for Justice, in 2022 alone, states enacted 11 new laws to restrict voting and 12 new laws that increase the opportunity for election interference. Those trends continued into 2023 with 11 states enacting 13 restrictive laws in just the first five months of the year. Elections officials have been inundated with threats and harassment campaigns; the Justice Department Election Threats Task Force has charged over a dozen individuals with threats to the election community and has reviewed over 1000 contacts reported as hostile and harassing. Spending from dark money groups and shell companies hit a midterm record in 2022 according to the nonpartisan watchdogs at OpenSecrets. And federal officials have warned that Russia and China continue to try to influence our elections. Harry Dunn believes standing up for our communities starts with standing up for our democracy.He will push for common sense laws to protect our voting rights, protect our electoral process, curb corporate and foreign influence, promote civic education and engagement and safeguard a free and independent press. Harry is the grandson of an election poll worker and judge, the son of an veteran, and himself a lifelong public servant. As a Capitol Police Officer, he stood against threats to Congress and the U.S. Capitol. As our Congressman, he’ll continue to work to protect our democratic institutions and the opportunities of all Americans to make their voice heard.Highlights of Harry Dunn’s Plan to Protect the People’s Democracy:Strengthening Voting RightsHarry Dunn will co-sponsor the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act on his first day in Congress and fight for its passage so we can ensure that voters can vote.Harry Dunn will support the Freedom to Vote Act that includes broad reforms to end voter suppression, ensure voting rights are protected and allow Americans to make their voices heard at the ballot box.Standing Against Election IntimidationHarry Dunn will co-sponsor and support the Election Worker Protection Act to provide states with resources to recruit and train election workers and ensure their safety.Harry Dunn supports the Preventing Election Subversion Act, sponsored by Representative John Sarbanes, that would help prevent unfounded removals of election officials.Clean and Ethical GovernmentHarry Dunn has made it clear he is working for Maryland, not the corporate special interests. He has refused corporate PAC donations and has pledged to co-sponsor the Democracy for All Amendment to overturn Citizens United. Harry Dunn supports the establishment of a voluntary public financing system for federal elections.Harry Dunn will cosponsor the Honest Ads Act which ensures ads sold online are covered by the same rules as ads on TV, radio, and satellite while requiring online platforms to ensure foreign interests aren’t buying political ads. Harry Dunn will support the Stop Interference in Ballot Measures Act to close a legal loophole that allows foreign governments and residents to donate to state and local ballot initiatives and referendums. Protecting and Strengthening Our DemocracyThe events of January 6 had a profound impact on all Americans. The violence at the United States Capitol shook our nation and reminded us that democracy is not a given – it must be protected by smart laws, honorable lawmakers and brave citizens who will stand up for our Constitution.In the years since, we have seen numerous attempts to weaken our democratic institutions. Attacks on voting rights, intimidation of elected officials and voters, corporate and foreign influence and the rampant abuse of powers under Donald Trump have all shown why it is so important that we elect leaders who understand that our American way of life will not survive if we do not stand up and protect and strengthen our democracy.Strengthening Voting RightsThe basis of democracy is the right to vote: each person exercising their constitutional right to cast a ballot for their preferred candidate knowing that their vote will be counted and respected. Sadly, there are currently numerous efforts underway to weaken that right. As our Congressman, Harry Dunn will fight for our votes and our right to vote:Co-Sponsor the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act on day one. In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down key sections of the Voting Rights Act and made it more difficult for the Justice Department to monitor and sanction attacks on voting rights. In the years since, many state legislatures have acted aggressively to curtail voting rights and purge eligible voters from the polls for little or no reason at all. To give one prominent example, twenty-nine million Americans now live under new voter ID laws that have passed since 2020. These laws are passed in the name of “voter fraud” but the reality is that the primary impact of these laws is more restrictions on legal voting.The facts are clear: voter fraud is extremely rare. According to the League of Women Voters, “out of 250,000,000 votes cast by mail in 2020, there were 193 criminal convictions. By those numbers, a person is more likely to be struck by lightning than they are to commit voter fraud.”In contrast, millions of Americans have been denied their right to vote due to these laws: in Texas, a strict ID law resulted in 608,470 registered voters being deemed ineligible – or 4.5% of registered voters. These laws disproportionately impact Black, Native, Latino, low-income, elderly and student voters and trace their roots back to Jim Crow laws that were transparently focused on preventing Black Americans from voting. The result is millions of Americans once again being denied their right to vote. It’s no wonder prominent non-partisan, good government organizations like the League of Women Voters oppose these laws. Harry Dunn believes our voting rights are guaranteed by the Constitution. He will co-sponsor the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act on his first day in Congress and fight for its passage so we can ensure that voters can vote.Increasing Voter ParticipationEven as we stand up against bad laws that restrict voting rights, we also need to make it easier to vote.According to data from the Pew Research Center & Statista, voter turnout in the 2022 midterm elections was just 46.8%, the lowest for a midterm since 2014. In many areas of the country, turnout is even lower.To address this challenge, Harry Dunn will support measures to remove barriers to voting and encourage greater participation. Harry Dunn will support the Freedom to Vote Act that includes broad reforms to end voter suppress suppression, ensure voting rights are protected and allow Americans to make their voices heard at the ballot box, including:Automatic voter registration: Allowing eligible citizens to be automatically registered to vote when interacting with government agencies, ensuring no one is left out.Online voter registration: Providing convenient and accessible methods for registering to vote.Expanded early voting and vote by mail: Offering more opportunities for voters to cast their ballots, reducing long lines and wait times on Election Day.Together, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will protect and strengthen the rights of every American to vote.Standing Against Election IntimidationJanuary 6 was a large-scale attack on our democratic institutions. But it wasn’t the only one. There have been numerous examples since of tactics meant to intimidate voters and elected officials. The Washington Post reported on a far-right group of election deniers that broke up a meeting of the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors in Arizona. These groups have been emboldened by Donald Trump’s rhetoric and have made it clear they will stop at nothing to get their way.Harry Dunn stood against these mobs on January 6 and he will stand against them again as our Congressman. Protecting Election Officials and WorkersNumerous local elected officials and election workers have reported threats of violence against them during and since the 2020 elections, including the violence at the Capitol on January 6. Three of four election officials reported to the Brennan Center for Justice that threats have increased. Forty-five percent of election workers nationwide say they fear for their colleagues’ safety. Election work is often volunteer or low-paid, done by concerned citizens who just want to help their fellow residents vote. It is disgusting that these workers – and their families – would be targeted for following the law and loving their communities. While several states have passed laws to protect election workers since 2020, it’s clear we need federal protections as well. Harry Dunn will co-sponsor and support the Election Worker Protection Act to provide states with resources to recruit and train election workers and ensure their safety.We also need to make sure that election workers and officials cannot be removed from their posts due to unfounded partisan witch hunts. The threat of this is very real – since 2020, twelve states have enacted criminal penalties targeting election officials. These laws are clearly intended to intimidate workers and criminalize routine ballot processing. As a result, hundreds of workers have left their posts out of fear of harassment. Harry Dunn supports the Preventing Election Subversion Act, sponsored by Representative John Sarbanes, that would help prevent unfounded removals of election officials. It would also protect voters against illegitimate challenges such as a recent case in Georgia where 89,000 voter eligibility challenges were made by just six right-wing activists. Protecting Against Violence At the PollsThese heightened threats have also raised fears about violence – and specifically gun violence – at polling places. Maryland has taken steps to ensure voters can exercise their rights free from intimidation and it’s critical other states and Congress follow our lead. Maryland’s law enforcement officers have made it clear they will stand up for our rights by enforcing laws that prohibit violent behavior or threats at polling places, blocking entrances to polling places or harassing voters as they exercise their rights. These measures also include reasonable restrictions on brandishing firearms in areas where voting is occurring. It is already a federal crime to interfere with the election process but we need to make sure local officials and law enforcement have the tools they need to uphold these laws.As our Congressman, Harry Dunn will urge the Justice Department to deter election violence and protect our Constitutional right to vote, free from interference or intimidation. Protecting Ballot Counting and CertificationWorkers and volunteers also need specific protections to ensure the integrity of ballot counting and certification – the very steps that were targeted in 2020. Harry Dunn supports the Protecting Election Administration Free from Interference Act (currently cosponsored by Rep. John Sarbanes) which would extend prohibitions on intimidating and threatening voters to include officials who are counting our ballots and certifying results. It would strengthen protections for election records and infrastructure to stop anyone from endangering the security and preservation of ballots. And it would provide judicial review for election records to ensure compliance with the law. We need to make sure our voters are safe and secure and Harry Dunn will always stand up for the security of our elections.Clean and Ethical GovernmentLimiting Corporate Influence on Elections“Corporations are people” has never made sense to most people. It certainly never made sense to Harry Dunn. In his time as a Capitol Police Officer, he saw thousands of people walk through the Senate and House Office Buildings and the Capitol to learn more about the history of our nation and speak with their Senators and Representatives. Not once did a corporation stroll through those doors.Yet corporate influence is all over Congress. In 2022, business interests spent $3.5 billion to influence voters and ensure their interests are well represented in Washington, DC. Harry Dunn has made clear he is working for Maryland, not the corporate special interests. He has refused corporate political action committee (PAC) donations and has pledged to co-sponsor the Democracy for All Amendment to overturn Citizens United. Comprehensive Campaign Finance ReformWhile limiting corporate influence is a crucial step, truly strengthening our democracy requires comprehensive campaign finance reform. The current system allows wealthy individuals, special interests, and deep-pocketed organizations to wield disproportionate influence over our electoral processes through unlimited spending.Harry Dunn supports the establishment of a voluntary public financing system for federal elections. This would provide qualified candidates with grants and matching funds, allowing them to run competitive campaigns without relying on wealthy donors or special interests.Public financing has been successful in states like Arizona, Connecticut, and Maine, amplifying the voices of ordinary citizens and reducing the influence of big money. Efforts such as The Fair Elections Now Act, introduced by Senator Dick Durbin in 2017 (D-IL) would create such a system for Congressional elections. Harry Dunn will fight for the passage of such legislation to ensure fairer more people-powered campaigns.Limiting Foreign Influence on ElectionsForeign governments and interests have become more brazen in trying to influence our elections. In 2016, Russia used social media and digital platforms to place ads to urge unsuspecting voters to support its chosen candidate for president, with disastrous results for our nation. It’s way past time to put an end to foreign meddling in our elections – the American people should pick our President, not Vladimir Putin. Harry Dunn will cosponsor the Honest Ads Act which ensures ads sold online are covered by the same rules as ads on TV, radio and satellite and require online platforms to ensure foreign interests aren’t buying political ads. And he will support the Stop Interference in Ballot Measures Act to close a legal loophole that allows foreign governments and residents to donate to state and local ballot initiatives and referendums. We need to make sure we have a government of the people, by the people and for the American people.Cracking Down on Presidential Abuse of PowerDonald Trump’s illegal and unethical attacks on our democracy did not begin on January 6. In the years and months before that fateful day, he abused his presidential powers in numerous ways to reward his cronies, enrich his families and punish his “enemies”. While several state and federal law enforcement agencies are pursuing charges against him, it’s clear we also need to strengthen our legal framework to prevent such abuses in the future. Representative John Sarbanes has led the Democracy Task Force to identify ways to reform our institutions against future presidents who abuse their power. Harry Dunn supports the Task Force’s work and will cosponsor the Protecting Our Democracy Act to prevent the abuse of pardon power, enforce the emoluments clause of the Constitution and ensure that no President is above the law.Strengthening Ethics LawsAs a Capitol Police Officer, Harry Dunn swore to uphold the laws of the land and protect members of Congress and the American people. Unfortunately, some members of Congress and the judiciary have failed to uphold the oaths they made.Financial impropriety, misuse of government funds and conflicts of interest have become major problems and Congress has failed to act aggressively to combat these actions. Harry Dunn will support common sense legislation to hold public officials accountable and restore trust with the American people:Transparency in Taxpayer-Funded Travel Act: To strengthen disclosure of travel undertaken using taxpayer fundsTRUST Act: To require members to place investments in qualified blind trustsSTOCK Act: To strengthen legislation to crack down on financial conflicts of interest in all three branches of governmentWe also know it’s not just elected officials who need to be held accountable. Members of the Supreme Court have accepted handsome gifts from wealthy benefactors, have failed to disclose conflicts and have undermined trust in the institution. Harry Dunn supports the Justice is BLIND Act to require justices and their spouses to put investments in qualified blind trusts as a first step to restoring ethical principles on the Court.Promoting Civic Education and Voter ParticipationOur democracy thrives with an educated and engaged electorate. Unfortunately, studies have shown a concerning decline in civic knowledge and participation among Americans, particularly younger generations. To reverse this trend and strengthen the foundations of our democratic system, we must prioritize civic education and voter engagement initiatives.Enhancing Civic EducationAccording to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only 39% of Americans can name all three branches of government, and just 26% can name all five rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. This lack of fundamental civic knowledge undermines the ability of citizens to participate effectively in the democratic process.As our Congressman, Harry Dunn will champion efforts to revitalize civic education in schools and communities. He will support the Civics Secures Democracy Act, which would provide funding for robust civics and history education programs, professional development for teachers, and research-based curricula to improve students’ understanding of democratic principles and institutions.Additionally, Harry Dunn will advocate for the expansion of community-based civic education initiatives, such as public forums, town halls, and workshops, to promote lifelong learning and engagement among citizens of all ages.By prioritizing civic education, we can foster a more informed, participatory, and resilient democracy that truly reflects the will of the people.Safeguarding a Free and Independent PressA free and robust media is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy. An independent press serves as a watchdog, holds those in power accountable, and ensures the free flow of information to the public. However, in recent years, we have witnessed attacks on media freedom, including attempts to discredit and undermine reputable news organizations, as well as instances of harassment and violence against journalists.According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, there were over 163 reported incidents of journalists being assaulted, arrested, or having their equipment damaged while covering news events in 2023. Such attacks not only endanger the safety of reporters but also undermine the public’s right to access accurate and timely information. Such acts of intimidation have no place in a democracy.As our Congressman, Harry Dunn will champion legislation to safeguard media freedom and protect journalists from harassment and intimidation. He will co-sponsor the Journalist Protection Act, which would make it a federal crime to intentionally cause bodily injury to a journalist during the news-gathering process.Additionally, Harry Dunn will support measures to strengthen the legal protections for whistleblowers and journalists’ sources, ensuring they can freely share information in the public interest without fear of retaliation.Protecting and Expanding DemocracyAt a time when the Trump administration is trying to actively make it harder for U.S. citizens to vote, Harry will stand up and fight. On January 6th, Harry protected our democracy with his bare hands from insurrectionists who sought to overturn the results of a free and fair election. Harry has personally seen the impact of Americans losing faith in their government and the devastating impact of misinformation. Harry also believes that democracy isn’t a spectator sport – and that it is on every single one of us to leave our democracy better than we found it. Harry has seen up-close that our democracy is just one election away from extinction. In Congress, Harry will:Fight back against President Trump’s hypocritical attack against making elections more accessible via vote by mail.Pass the Freedom to Vote Act and DISCLOSE Act to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC ruling, ensure voting rights for all, fight gerrymandering, the influence of big money, and reject Corporate PAC dollars on his campaign.Support the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to protect voting rights from Republican attacks and guarantee we have free and fair elections.Restore trust in Congress by banning Members of Congress from trading individual stocks and by prohibiting lawmakers from soliciting donations from companies they regulate.Champion Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood and representation in Congress.Reintroduce former Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes’ the For the People Act, which would bring voting‑access reforms, including expanded early voting, modernized voter registration, secure mail‑in voting, and stronger protections that ensure every eligible voter can participate freely and fairly in our democracy.Protect the Chesapeake BayHarry knows the Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and that it holds a special place in Marylanders’ hearts. Trump’s policies and budget proposals have continued to cut funding for environmental services, including tens of millions of dollars towards restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, while also shaving away protections for our State’s natural resources. Harry will work in Congress to:Protect Maryland’s natural resources and federal funding.Support Senator Van Hollen and former Congressman Sarbanes’s legislation to designate a unified Chesapeake National Recreation Area as part of the National Park System.Fund clean-up and protection efforts for the Chesapeake Bay.Improve access to the Bay for all Maryland residents.Support Maryland’s diverse marine economy and workers.Affordable ChildcareAs a working dad, Harry knows that rising childcare costs are forcing families like his to make impossible decisions. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the average annual cost of infant care in Maryland is $18,946. Put a different way, “a minimum wage worker in Maryland would need to work full time for 35 weeks, or from January to August, just to pay for child care for one infant.”