John P. Dunn

John Patrick Dunn (April 11, 1852 – May 29, 1906) was an Irish American clerk, merchant and politician who served as auditor of San Francisco from 1879 to 1881 and as the 17th controller of California from 1883 to 1891. He was the last Democrat to hold the latter office until the election of Alan Cranston in 1958.

Political career Dunn entered politics as a member of the Workingmen's Party of California, serving as secretary of their first state convention in 1878. He was elected auditor of San Francisco the following year and was allowed to take office a month early due to the death of previous auditor George F. Maynard. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Dunn became a naturalized citizen just 23 days before the election.

During his tenure, Dunn was criticized for hiring relatives but praised for his otherwise strong opposition to corruption. He ran for reelection two years later on a Democratic-Workingmen's-Citizen's Taxpayers Fusion ticket, but was defeated in the face of opposition from the Spring Valley Water and San Francisco Gas Companies. accusing Secretary of State Daniel M. Burns of graft

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