Dunne was Director of Marketing for Logic Associates, a Vermont software company that during his tenure grew to over $18 million in sales.

He also co-founded Cabin Fever Productions, which managed the Briggs Opera House and facilitated concerts in downtown White River Junction.

Following the 2006 election, Dunne was hired by Google to run community affairs for the company from White River Junction, Vermont.

During this time he served as Assistant Director of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy at Dartmouth College, where he oversaw programs to prepare young people for careers in public service and non-profit management, including the Policy Research Shop.

In the Democratic primary held September 14, 2006, Dunne defeated State Rep. John Tracy of Burlington, winning 59% of the vote.

During the final weeks of the campaign, Dunne's brother Josh suffered a life-threatening stroke that required surgery.

[14] He was also endorsed by the Burlington Free Press, which praised his clearly articulated plans for Vermont's economy and government.

[17] Dunne supported increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour and investing in microfinancing;[18] providing universal primary health care;[19] divesting from fossil fuels and investing $100 million in efficiency, solar, and heat pump technology;[20] improving women's equality through paid family leave, affordable state-run child care, free access to long-term birth control, and improving job training opportunities for women in the STEM fields;[21] improving enforcement of racial and LGBTQA anti-discrimination laws; emphasizing treatment over law enforcement in addressing Vermont's opioid abuse epidemic;[22] and legalizing and regulating marijuana.

[23] He supported universal background checks for gun sales in Vermont, but unlike his rivals has not called for a ban on assault weapons.

[25] Environmental group Vermont Conservation Voters, which had been neutral in the race, endorsed Minter for the same reason.