Two Congressional Candidates: One Former Capitol Police Officer, One Jan. 6 Rioter

In a surprising turn of events, two individuals who were on opposite sides of the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, are now running for Congress in their respective state primaries. Derrick Evans, a former West Virginia lawmaker who participated in the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol, is seeking a U.S. House seat in the West Virginia Republican primary. On the other hand, Police Officer Harry Dunn, who defended the Capitol from the rioters that day, is running for a U.S. House seat in Maryland as a Democrat.

The contrast between Evans and Dunn’s candidacies highlights the deep divide in American politics following the events of January 6. While Evans proudly displays his involvement in the riot and aligns himself with former President Donald Trump, Dunn sees his candidacy as a way to defend democracy and prevent such violent attacks from happening again.

Despite their starkly different views on the Capitol riot, both Evans and Dunn are facing challenges in their respective primaries. Dunn leads in fundraising in Maryland, while Evans is up against incumbent Rep. Carol Miller in West Virginia. The outcome of these primaries will provide insight into how voters perceive the events of January 6 and the candidates involved.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the candidacies of Evans and Dunn serve as a reminder of the lasting impact of the Capitol riot and the ongoing debate over its significance in American politics. The upcoming primaries in Maryland and West Virginia will be a crucial test for these candidates and a reflection of the changing dynamics within the Republican and Democratic parties.