John Bonk, a Republican backed by Donald Trump, won the runoff election for Texas’ 38th Congressional District on Tuesday, positioning him to replace U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in this strongly Republican area near Houston.
In the earlier March primary, Bonk had a solid lead, securing 47.7% of the votes, but he didn’t reach the necessary majority for an outright win. Shelley Dezeballos, the president of West Houston Airport, followed with 18.6% and advanced to the runoff.
Now, Bonk will face off against Democrat Melissa McDonough in the general election scheduled for November. However, given that the Cook Political Report ranks this seat as solidly Republican, Bonk is in a strong position to win.
This race opened up as Hunt, who initially took office in 2022, opted to run for the Senate instead of seeking reelection.
Bonk, who has a degree in biochemistry from Louisiana State University and currently works in the mortgage industry in Houston, has positioned himself as a family-oriented Christian conservative, also claiming a commitment to being a “servant leader” on his campaign website. He received endorsements from notable figures, including Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Morgan Luttrell.
Earlier in the campaign, he identified key issues for the area, emphasizing the need to address affordability, immigration, and public safety. In his view, prioritizing American interests means focusing on border security, reducing financial aid to foreign nations, cutting unnecessary regulations, and supporting families.
Bonk believes it’s important for the government to step back so that small businesses can flourish, and parents can make decisions about their children’s education and health care.
