Former Capitol Police Officer and Jan. 6 Hero Running for Congress
Former U.S. Capitol Police Officer and Jan. 6 Hero, and Capitol Rioter Could Both Head to Congress
In a surprising turn of events, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer who defended lawmakers during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack and a man who served time in prison for joining the mob, could both be headed to Congress next year if they succeed in primaries later this month. Their campaigns for respective Democratic and Republican nominations present a split-screen look into a divided nation more than three years after the siege by Donald Trump supporters trying to overturn his election defeat.
Harry Dunn, a Democrat running in Maryland, and Derrick Evans, a Republican running in West Virginia, are seeking their parties’ nominations in strongly partisan districts, meaning both could serve together in the House of Representatives next year if they prevail in their separate May 14 contests.
Dunn, 40, said he was thrust into politics by what he experienced on Jan. 6, which stoked his concerns about the stability of U.S. democracy. When he testified to the probe into the attack, Dunn, who is Black, described the way that rioters taunted him with racial slurs as they tried to overturn Democratic President Joe Biden’s election.
On the other hand, Evans, 36, a former teacher who served briefly in the state legislature, was among the throng that illegally entered the Capitol on Jan. 6. He served three months in prison after pleading guilty to a felony charge of “impeding, obstructing or interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder.”
Despite their differing backgrounds, both Dunn and Evans cite the need to defend the U.S. Constitution at a moment they say presents great peril for the country. Dunn has raised $3.7 million for his campaign and has secured the endorsement of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while Evans has raised $660,745 for his one-on-one battle against incumbent Miller.
The upcoming primaries will determine whether these two individuals, with their starkly different perspectives, will have the opportunity to serve in Congress together. It remains to be seen how their potential collaboration or clash could shape the future of American politics.
