--- title: "McDonough vs. Bonck: 2026 Texas’ 38th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-tx-38" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Texas’ 38th District race: Melissa McDonough (D) vs. Jon Bonck (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 The 2026 election for Texas' 38th Congressional District features Democratic nominee Melissa McDonough facing Republican nominee Jon Bonck in a newly redrawn district following the 2025 redistricting process. The seat is open as incumbent Wesley Hunt opted to run for the U.S. Senate. The matchup hinges on contrasting visions for the district, with Bonck advancing a staunchly conservative agenda centered on border security, anti-abortion policies, and spending cuts, while McDonough emphasizes expanding healthcare access, protecting reproductive rights, and strengthening public education. ## Candidates - **Melissa McDonough** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://melissaforcongress.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) - **Jon Bonck** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://www.jonbonck.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jon_Bonck) ## Issues ### Border security and immigration Salience: high Bonck calls for finishing the border wall and stopping an invasion, whereas McDonough supports streamlining legal immigration processing and addressing root migration causes instead of building physical barriers. **Melissa McDonough:** Supports border reform and streamlining immigration McDonough advocates for streamlining legal immigration processes to eliminate backlogs rather than spending funds on border barriers. She also calls for addressing the root causes of regional migration in Latin America and avoiding border actions that harm international trade. - Streamline the legal immigration process to clear backlogs - Address root causes of migration in Latin American nations - Avoid border enforcement tactics that disrupt international trade > “Instead of wasting taxpayer money on ineffective barriers, we should be streamlining the immigration process.” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) **Jon Bonck:** Supports border wall and ending invasion Bonck pledges to secure the southern border by completing the physical border wall and halting illegal immigration. He frames current border crossings as an invasion and emphasizes putting Texas interests first. - Finish construction of the southern border wall - End illegal border crossings and border invasion - Prioritize Texas interests in federal immigration policy > “Finish the wall. End the invasion. Put Texas first.” > — Jon Bonck, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jon_Bonck) ### Abortion and reproductive rights Salience: high Bonck opposes abortion without compromise based on the belief that life begins at conception, while McDonough supports protecting women's bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. **Melissa McDonough:** Supports abortion rights and bodily autonomy McDonough supports protecting bodily autonomy and reproductive healthcare choices, arguing decisions belong between a patient and doctor. She criticizes Texas's state abortion ban for increasing infant mortality and limiting healthcare access. - Protect women's bodily autonomy and reproductive rights - Keep medical decisions between patients and their physicians - Highlight negative public health impacts of state abortion bans > “Women deserve the right to bodily autonomy, and their healthcare decisions should be made privately with a physician.” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) **Jon Bonck:** Opposes abortion with no compromise Bonck maintains a strict pro-life stance, asserting that life begins at conception without exception. His campaign is endorsed by anti-abortion advocacy groups like Texas Right to Life. - Assert that human life begins at conception - Oppose abortion access without compromise - Endorsed by Texas Right to Life > “Life begins at conception. No compromise.” > — Jon Bonck, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jon_Bonck) ### Economy and cost of living Salience: high Bonck advocates for deregulation and mortgage policy reform to simplify homeownership, whereas McDonough favors proactive federal intervention to lower living costs, expand affordable housing, and address income inequality. **Melissa McDonough:** Supports proactive policy to combat inflation McDonough focuses on combating skyrocketing living costs, including healthcare premiums and housing expenses. She supports proactive federal economic policy and a middle-out revenue model to address income inequality while opposing tariffs that raise taxes on consumers. - Implement proactive policies to lower inflation and housing costs - Adopt a middle-out economic approach to address income inequality - Oppose trade war tariffs that increase consumer taxes > “Affordability is a growing crisis in TX-CD 38. Families are struggling to keep up with rent, groceries, and now skyrocketing healthcare costs are pushing them even further behind.” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) **Jon Bonck:** Supports deregulation and homeownership reform Bonck emphasizes reforming outdated mortgage and housing policies to eliminate red tape for homebuyers. Drawing on his experience in the mortgage industry, he advocates for deregulation to foster economic stability and help families build wealth. - Eliminate federal regulations and red tape to assist homebuyers - Reform housing and mortgage policies to simplify homeownership - Promote economic stability through conservative fiscal stewardship > “When in Washington, Jon will work to reform these outdated policies and eliminate red tape to help Americans thrive and achieve the American dream.” > — Jon Bonck, via [Campaign site](https://www.jonbonck.com/) ### Healthcare and medical freedom Salience: high Bonck opposes vaccine mandates and mRNA vaccines in the name of medical freedom, while McDonough supports expanding Medicaid and enacting universal healthcare. **Melissa McDonough:** Supports universal healthcare and expanding Medicaid McDonough advocates for universal healthcare through Medicare for All and urges expanding Medicaid in Texas to lower the uninsured rate. She aims to reduce medical debt bankruptcies and curb steep insurance premium increases. - Expand Medicaid in Texas using available federal funds - Support universal healthcare / Medicare for All - Address skyrocketing health insurance premiums and medical debt > “Expanding Medicaid is a cost-effective way to help Texans get access to quality healthcare.” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) **Jon Bonck:** Opposes vaccine mandates and coercion Bonck campaigns on protecting medical freedom by opposing public health mandates and government coercion. He explicitly opposes mRNA vaccines and receives backing from vaccine choice advocacy groups. - Oppose government healthcare mandates and coercion - Oppose mRNA vaccines - Endorsed by Texans for Vaccine Choice > “No mandates. No coercion. No mRNA vaccines” > — Jon Bonck, via [Campaign site](https://www.jonbonck.com/) ### Gun policy and Second Amendment Salience: medium Bonck opposes any federal restrictions on firearms, whereas McDonough advocates for common-sense gun safety laws like Ethan's Law and background check expansion. **Melissa McDonough:** Supports common-sense gun safety measures McDonough advocates for common-sense gun safety legislation, including Ethan's Law for safe firearm storage, stronger background checks, and expanded mental health care. She criticizes permitless carry for driving up gun violence while maintaining respect for responsible gun owners. - Support Ethan's Law to mandate secure firearm storage - Implement stronger background checks and mental health access - Oppose permitless carry policies that increase gun fatalities > “There is nothing more “pro-life” than common sense gun laws.” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) **Jon Bonck:** Opposes firearm restrictions and D.C. control Bonck defends gun ownership rights as constitutional and God-given. He opposes federal regulations or permissions restricting firearms. - Defend Second Amendment rights without federal compromise - Oppose firearm restrictions originating from Washington, D.C. > “God-given rights don’t need D.C.’s permission.” > — Jon Bonck, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jon_Bonck) ### Education and curriculum Salience: medium Bonck seeks to eliminate woke curriculum and gender ideology in schools, while McDonough focuses on increasing public school funding, blocking vouchers, and lowering college tuition costs. **Melissa McDonough:** Supports public school funding and tuition affordability McDonough opposes school vouchers and book bans, calling for robust public school funding to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. She also advocates making college tuition affordable and tuition-free options accessible. - Properly fund public education and oppose school voucher programs - Oppose book bans and restrictions on cultural history curricula - Make higher education tuition affordable to prevent student debt > “Instead of banning books and classes that teach about culture, we should be focusing on the future while learning from the past.” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) **Jon Bonck:** Opposes woke curriculum and gender ideology Bonck prioritizes parental authority in public schools, opposing woke curricula and gender ideology. He also supports Christian education initiatives. - Prohibit woke curriculum and gender ideology in public schools - Prioritize parental rights in educational instruction - Support Christian education and traditional values > “No woke curriculum. No gender ideology. Parents first.” > — Jon Bonck, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jon_Bonck) ### Government integrity and checks and balances Salience: medium Bonck pledges to clean house in D.C. alongside Donald Trump, whereas McDonough champions restoring constitutional checks and balances and campaign finance reform. **Melissa McDonough:** Supports restoring constitutional checks and balances McDonough emphasizes restoring checks and balances between the three branches of government and defending democracy. She advocates for accessible mail-in and county-wide voting, as well as reforming campaign finance laws to remove dark money. - Restore checks and balances to prevent one branch from dominating - Protect voting access, including mail-in and county-wide voting - Reform campaign finance to remove dark money following Citizens United > “We must restore the constitutional checks and balances between the three branches of government. No branch should dominate another or operate without accountability.” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) **Jon Bonck:** Supports cleaning house in D.C. with Trump Bonck aligns closely with Donald Trump, promising to clean house in Washington, D.C. and restore conservative leadership. He is endorsed by Trump and Senator Ted Cruz. - Partner with Donald Trump to clean house in D.C. - Restore conservative conviction and stewardship to public office > “Finish the mission. Clean house in D.C.” > — Jon Bonck, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jon_Bonck) ### Foreign policy and national spending Salience: medium Bonck opposes blank-check spending on foreign wars under an America First agenda, while McDonough supports providing military aid to allies like Ukraine without committing ground troops. **Melissa McDonough:** Supports targeted aid for allies with oversight McDonough supports aiding Ukraine against Russian aggression by sending surplus military equipment without deploying U.S. ground troops. On the Israel-Gaza conflict, she supports a proportionate response, accountability for war crimes, and honoring a two-state solution. - Supply military equipment to Ukraine while avoiding U.S. boots on the ground - Support a proportionate defense for Israel and a two-state solution - Hold international leaders accountable for war crimes > “Ukraine is an American trade partner, and Russia presents a direct threat to America and our allies. We should continue to support Ukraine with our old military equipment while avoiding a scenario that would require “boots on the ground.”” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Campaign site](https://melissaforcongress.com) **Jon Bonck:** Opposes foreign war spending to put America first Bonck demands an end to foreign war spending, arguing that federal dollars should be directed toward domestic priorities under an America First policy. - Cut blank-check spending on foreign wars - Enforce an America First approach to national spending > “No more blank checks for foreign wars. Put America first.” > — Jon Bonck, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jon_Bonck) ### Energy and environment Salience: medium **Melissa McDonough:** Supports renewable energy and environmental enforcement McDonough advocates for integrating renewable energy with fossil fuels to stabilize Texas's power grid. She also supports rebuilding federal agencies like the EPA, enforcing the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, and executing responsible land development for flood mitigation. - Combine renewable energy innovation with petroleum to protect the grid - Rebuild federal regulatory agencies like the EPA, NOAA, and Interior - Enforce the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and NEPA compliance - Implement responsible land development for local flood mitigation > “Using renewables in conjunction with fossil fuels will help keep our grid from failing while mitigating negative environmental impacts.” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) **Jon Bonck:** No documented position in our sources ### Religion and public life Salience: medium **Melissa McDonough:** No documented position in our sources **Jon Bonck:** Supports defending religious liberty in public life Bonck emphasizes his Christian faith and ministry involvement, vowing to defend religious liberty against political attacks and maintain faith's presence in public life. - Protect faith and religious liberty in the public square - Ground leadership in biblical stewardship and Christian values > “Faith belongs in public life—not under attack.” > — Jon Bonck, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jon_Bonck) ### Veterans services Salience: low **Melissa McDonough:** Supports ending veteran homelessness and PTSD care McDonough works to eliminate veteran homelessness by securing federal HUD-VASH housing grants. She also champions mental health rehabilitation facilities such as Camp Hope to support veterans dealing with PTSD. - Secure HUD-VASH federal funds to eliminate veteran homelessness - Support PTSD rehabilitation programs like Camp Hope for returning service members > “Those who have served our country should never face homelessness.” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) **Jon Bonck:** No documented position in our sources ### Social justice and civil rights Salience: low **Melissa McDonough:** Supports civil rights protections for marginalized communities McDonough advocates for protecting LGBTQ+ individuals and racial minorities against systemic discrimination and hate crimes. She also supports criminal justice reforms to eliminate two-tiered legal treatment between public officials and citizens. - Protect LGBTQ+ and minority groups from discrimination and hate crimes - Promote social tolerance and counter divisive political rhetoric - Reform the criminal justice system to ensure equal legal enforcement > “Injustice against the LGBTQ+ community continues to plague our institutions as extremists push policies that reverse decades of progress.” > — Melissa McDonough, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_McDonough) **Jon Bonck:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/tx-38-house-election-winner) — TX-38 House Election Winner: Republicans 94.7%, Democrats 5.4% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-TX38-26) — TX-38 House winner?: Jon Bonck 95.1%, Melissa McDonough 6.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-tx-38)