Ex Capitol police officer who testified before Jan. 6 panel to run for House, stop 'MAGA extremists'

Former Capitol Hill police officer Harry Dunn, who testified before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, announced plans Friday to run as a Democrat for a House seat in Maryland. 

"On January 6th, I defended our democracy from insurrectionists as a Capitol Police Officer. After, President Biden honored me with the Presidential Citizens Medal," Dunn wrote on the social media platform X. "Today, I’m running for Congress to stop Trump's MAGA extremists & ensure it never happens again."

Dunn told The Hill newspaper he was motivated to run because of the 2021 riot, as Congress attempted to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.

"I’ve done everything I could do as a Capitol police officer," he also told the news outlet.

Dunn is running for an open seat in Maryland's Third Congressional District, with Democrat Rep. John Sarbanes retiring. 

According to Roll Call, Dunn lives outside of the district and resides in Montgomery County, but would move to Sarbanes's district if elected.

Some issues he said he wants to focus on are infrastructure and mental health.   

He is added to a list of candidates who are running on previous issues that have affected their profession.