Former Capitol Police officer who defended lawmakers on Jan. 6, 2021, defeated in primary

WASHINGTON — Harry Dunn, a former police officer who defended lawmakers when rioters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was defeated in the Democratic primary for Maryland’s 3rd congressional district Tuesday.

Dunn launched his campaign in January and ran to succeed Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., who announced he would not seek re-election after serving in Congress for over a decade.

He competed against 21 other candidates for the seat, and ended up losing to Maryland state Sen. Sarah Elfreth, who racked up over 21,000 votes while he got over 14,000, in Tuesday’s primary election.

Dunn resigned as a Capitol Police officer in December after serving for more than 15 years. He told the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, that he was the target of racial slurs and joined support groups after the attack to deal with the trauma of what had unfolded.

Dunn said on X, formerly Twitter, that he ran for Congress to “protect our democracy from MAGA Republicans & greedy corporations while also fighting for abortion rights & economic opportunity for every Marylander.”

After his loss, Dunn shared on X that he called Elfreth congratulating her on her victory.

“Although tonight’s results may not have gone like we hoped, all I can feel right now is gratitude. With our democracy on the line this November, I can make you one promise - I’m not going anywhere,” he wrote.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former cop who defended Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, defeated in primary