Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer who was on duty during the Jan. 6 riots, has amassed an impressive $4.6 million war chest for his first-time bid for elected office. Leveraging his emotional testimony delivered during televised congressional hearings, Dunn has emerged as one of the nation’s top political fund-raisers in his campaign for a Maryland House seat. However, facing a crowded field of fellow Democrats in the primary, including state senator Sarah Elfreth, Dunn’s campaign and message of “save democracy” are being put to the test.
Sarah Elfreth, a state senator who has raised $1.5 million for her campaign and received $4.4 million more in support from outside groups, including the United Democracy Project, is Dunn’s main competition in the primary. Both candidates have pledged to prioritize campaign finance reform in Congress. Dunn has chosen to reject support from outside groups as part of his pro-democracy platform, despite the significant funding backing his opponent’s campaign. The ironies of outside money influencing elections in a race to replace a retiring representative known for his work to limit the influence of money in campaigns have not been lost on Dunn.
Much of the funding Dunn has raised is tied to the national attention he received after testifying before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack. His emotional testimony of the violence and racism faced by officers during the riot struck a chord with liberal donors, who have supported his campaign. Dunn, positioning himself as the best candidate to combat former President Trump’s conservative movement, has gained a following across the country. In contrast, Elfreth has emphasized her record as the youngest woman elected to the Maryland Senate and her bipartisan legislative achievements.
The Maryland Third Congressional District, including Annapolis and Howard County, is the battleground for this primary, with the winner expected to secure the heavily Democratic district in the general election. Other Democratic candidates in the primary include Clarence Lam, Juan Dominguez, and Michael Coburn, none of whom have raised more than $200,000 according to campaign finance records. The primary represents a test of the growing “save democracy” movement, with candidates like Dunn and Elfreth aiming to reform campaign finance laws and address the influence of money in politics.
In other Mid-Atlantic House districts, candidates like Janelle Stelson, focusing on women’s rights, abortion access, and inflation, have prevailed over candidates prioritizing defense of democracy in primaries. In Virginia, Yevgeny Vindman, known as Eugene, is running for a House seat by highlighting his twin brother Alexander’s role in exposing Mr. Trump’s efforts to pressure Ukraine. Vindman is vying to replace Representative Abigail Spanberger, who is running for governor. These races highlight the diverse issues at play in different primaries, with candidates’ backgrounds and messaging shaping the outcome of the elections in crucial battleground districts.
