Pelosi Makes New Endorsement

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has officially endorsed former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn in the race to replace retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, setting up an interesting divide among top Democrats in the state.

Dunn, who gained national attention following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, is making his second bid for Congress. His previous campaign ended in defeat during the Democratic primary in Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District nearly two years ago, where he lost to Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.).

Now Dunn is seeking a political comeback in a different district — and Pelosi’s backing could give his campaign a significant boost.

Pelosi and Hoyer Back Different Candidates

Pelosi’s endorsement puts her at odds with Rep. Steny Hoyer, who announced earlier this year that he plans to retire after decades in Congress.

Hoyer has already thrown his support behind Maryland state Rep. Adrian Boafo, who previously served as Hoyer’s campaign manager. The competing endorsements highlight an old political rivalry between Pelosi and Hoyer that stretches back more than two decades.

While both lawmakers spent years leading the Democratic caucus in the House, their relationship has included several high-profile leadership battles.

A Long History of Democratic Leadership Competition

The political rivalry between Pelosi and Hoyer dates back to 2001, when Pelosi defeated Hoyer in a closely watched internal party vote to become House Democratic whip, the second-highest leadership role in the caucus.

When Pelosi later rose to become House Democratic leader in 2003, Hoyer eventually secured the whip position himself.

Another leadership showdown followed in 2006, when Hoyer defeated Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) — Pelosi’s preferred candidate — in the race to become House majority leader.

Despite their occasional clashes, Pelosi and Hoyer ultimately worked together for years, serving as two of the most powerful figures in the House Democratic Party. Both leaders stepped down from their top positions in 2023, marking the end of an era in Democratic leadership.

Pelosi Calls Dunn a “True American Hero”

In a statement announcing her endorsement, Pelosi praised Dunn for his actions during the Capitol riot and said she believes he would be a strong voice for Maryland in Congress.

Pelosi described Dunn as a courageous public servant and said his experience during the January 6 attack demonstrated leadership under pressure.

Dunn responded by thanking Pelosi for her support and highlighting her leadership during a difficult moment in American politics.

He said he was honored to receive her endorsement and pledged to focus his campaign on protecting democratic institutions and advocating for working families in Maryland.

Dunn Enters Competitive Maryland Primary

Dunn officially entered the race in February to represent Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, which includes parts of southern Maryland and areas south and west of Annapolis.

Although Dunn currently lives in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District, he has stated that he plans to relocate to the 5th District if he wins the June 23 Democratic primary and later prevails in the November general election.

The race is already drawing significant attention within Democratic political circles, especially with prominent party leaders backing different candidates.

With Rep. Hoyer stepping aside after decades in Congress, the contest could reshape the political landscape in Maryland and determine who will represent the district in Washington for years to come.