Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.

Gregory Kunkle Jr.

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Gregory Kunkle Jr.
Image of Gregory Kunkle Jr.

Candidate, U.S. House Texas District 34

Elections and appointments
Next election

March 3, 2026

Education

High school

Harlingen High School

Bachelor's

Texas A&M University, 2013

Personal
Birthplace
Weslaco, Texas
Religion
Christian
Profession
Director of operations
Contact

Gregory Kunkle Jr. (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 34th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled on March 3, 2026.[source]

Biography

Gregory Kunkle Jr. was born in Weslaco, Texas. He earned a high school diploma from Harlingen High School and a bachelor's degree in renewable natural resources from Texas A&M University in 2013. His career experience includes working as a cyber security specialist. He has also worked as an assistant director of operations at the Texas A&M Global Cyber Research Institute, as a program specialist at the Texas A&M University Cyber Security Center, as a program specialist at the Texas A&M University Department of Mechanical Engineering, and as a program assistant at the Texas A&M AgriLife Cameron County Extension Office.[1][2][3]

Elections

2026

See also: Texas' 34th Congressional District election, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 34

Incumbent Vicente Gonzalez Jr. and Etienne Rosas are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 34 on March 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 34

The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 34 on March 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

See also: Texas' 34th Congressional District election, 2024

Texas' 34th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Republican primary)

Texas' 34th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 5 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 34

Incumbent Vicente Gonzalez Jr. defeated Mayra Flores in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 34 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Vicente Gonzalez Jr.
Vicente Gonzalez Jr. (D)
 
51.3
 
102,780
Image of Mayra Flores
Mayra Flores (R)
 
48.7
 
97,603

Total votes: 200,383
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 34

Incumbent Vicente Gonzalez Jr. advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 34 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Vicente Gonzalez Jr.
Vicente Gonzalez Jr.
 
100.0
 
27,745

Total votes: 27,745
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 34

Mayra Flores defeated Laura Cisneros, Mauro Garza, and Gregory Kunkle Jr. in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 34 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mayra Flores
Mayra Flores
 
81.2
 
18,307
Image of Laura Cisneros
Laura Cisneros
 
8.8
 
1,991
Image of Mauro Garza
Mauro Garza
 
6.2
 
1,388
Image of Gregory Kunkle Jr.
Gregory Kunkle Jr. Candidate Connection
 
3.8
 
863

Total votes: 22,549
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 34

Brent Lewis advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 34 on March 23, 2024.

Candidate
Brent Lewis (L)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Kunkle in this election.

2022

See also: Texas' 34th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 34

Incumbent Vicente Gonzalez Jr. defeated incumbent Mayra Flores and Chris Royal in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 34 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Vicente Gonzalez Jr.
Vicente Gonzalez Jr. (D)
 
52.7
 
70,896
Image of Mayra Flores
Mayra Flores (R) Candidate Connection
 
44.2
 
59,464
Image of Chris Royal
Chris Royal (Independent)
 
3.0
 
4,079

Total votes: 134,439
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 34

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 34 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Vicente Gonzalez Jr.
Vicente Gonzalez Jr.
 
64.8
 
23,531
Image of Laura Cisneros
Laura Cisneros
 
23.3
 
8,456
Image of Beatriz Reynoso
Beatriz Reynoso Candidate Connection
 
3.5
 
1,287
Image of William Thompson
William Thompson Candidate Connection
 
3.0
 
1,085
Filemon Meza
 
2.5
 
920
Image of Diego Zavala
Diego Zavala
 
2.0
 
718
Osbert Rodriguez Haro III
 
0.9
 
331

Total votes: 36,328
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 34

Incumbent Mayra Flores defeated Frank McCaffrey, Gregory Kunkle Jr., and Juana Cantu-Cabrera in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 34 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mayra Flores
Mayra Flores Candidate Connection
 
60.3
 
9,490
Frank McCaffrey Candidate Connection
 
21.9
 
3,444
Image of Gregory Kunkle Jr.
Gregory Kunkle Jr. Candidate Connection
 
10.7
 
1,677
Image of Juana Cantu-Cabrera
Juana Cantu-Cabrera Candidate Connection
 
7.1
 
1,115

Total votes: 15,726
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Gregory Kunkle Jr. has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Gregory Kunkle Jr. asking him to fill out the survey. If you are Gregory Kunkle Jr., click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 22,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia's candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

You can ask Gregory Kunkle Jr. to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing contact@gregorykunkle.com.

Twitter
Email

2024

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia
Released February 21, 2022

Candidate Connection

Gregory Kunkle Jr. completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kunkle's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

For over 30 years I have lived, worked, and served Texas’s Congressional 34th District. I am a God Fearing Father, American Patriot, and Proud Texan. I have talked with citizens, immigrants, and families in all walks of life. My campaign is built on putting FAMILIES FIRST!

I am honored to have been a part of such innovation and growth in Texas Agriculture, Robotics, and Cyber Security all the while the fruits of my labors benefiting Texas and her citizens. The FAMILIES of South Texas have the right to pursue freedom, liberty, and a livelihood with no fear, just as generations before them have over the last 200 years.

I have spent my entire work career serving the State of Texas and offer my resume of public service below:

-Texas A&M Global Cyber Research Institute (GCRI)

-Texas A&M University Cyber Security Center- Defense Cyber Leadership Development Program (DCLDP)

-Texas A&M University Department of Mechanical Engineering - Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM)

-Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Cameron County- Growing and Nourishing Healthy Communities (GNHC)

From all of this, there has never been a more prosperous future for the FAMILIES of TX-34. I have developed a vision of space exploration, educational freedom, border security, business development, infrastructure renewal, and agriculture and natural resource stewardship for all citizens of South Texas. I will employ all of my experience and skills to the utmost for the FAMILIES of South Texas.
  • FAMILY FIRST! The AMERICAN NUCLEAR family is the cornerstone of this great nation. All policies, votes, and funding I support will work towards putting American Families First! This means specifically an economy that works for families, security that protects families, and education choices that are best for families. There has never been a more prosperous time for America, and it is built on the backs of the middle class families like mine.
  • A FAMILY FIRST ECONOMY and BORDER. WE deserve an ECONOMY that works for MIDDLE CLASS FAMALIES. This means lowering taxes, lowering inflation, and CUTTING RED TAPE that puts a strain on new business. Lastly, we must unleash ENERGY PRODUCTION across this great state and nation in all forms. Furthermore, BORDER SECURITY is FAMILY SECURITY. Children are being left alone along the border, inner city children are dying of fentanyl overdoses with American tax payers are footing the bill for all coming across the Rio Grande. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE. Lastly.
  • FAMALIES DESERVE EDUCATION CHOICE! There is no other system in this great nation where FAMALIES have such limited choices than the public education system. With taxes and funding at an all time high, the results are not there for our children. FAMALIES deserve the right and support to CHOOSE WHERE THEIR CHILDREN are educated. Public Schools should compete for students with the funding following the student. THIS INCREASES FREEDOM for FAMALIES!
This IS the most important election in 2024. Texas's 34th Congressional District is the key to SAVING AMERICA for the future of our children. With Hispanics becoming the major voting demographic in America over the next 20 years, we have a chance to build a foundation and message of putting FAMILY FIRST that can spread across our great country.

I believe that the Republican Party has a historic function to perform in the winning of the 2024 general election breaking decades-long Democratic control. I will FIGHT for FAMALIES and employ all skills and experience necessary and intend to do my utmost to see that that victory is won.

United States Congressional District 34 is just the beginning of this great journey. Join us today.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Note: Kunkle submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on September 11, 2023.

2022

Candidate Connection

Gregory Kunkle Jr. completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kunkle's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

For over 30 years I have lived, worked, and served in Texas’s Congressional 34th District and have talked to citizens, immigrants, and families in all walks of life. Our campaign is Pro-Border, Pro-Business, and Pro-People of South Texas!

I am honored to have been a part of such innovation and growth in Texas agriculture, robotics, and cyber security all the while the fruits of our labors benefiting Texas and her citizens. The children of South Texas have the right to pursue freedom, liberty, and a livelihood with no fear, just as generations before them have over the last 200 years.


I have spent my entire career serving the State of Texas and offer my resume of public service below:

Texas A&M University Cyber Security Center- Defense Cyber Leadership Development Program (DCLDP)

Texas A&M University Department of Mechanical Engineering - Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station - Veterans Serving Veterans- Robotics Training for Veterans of the US Army

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Cameron County- Growing and Nourishing Healthy Communities (GNHC)

From all of this, there has never been a more prosperous future for the people of TX-34. I have developed an image of space exploration, border security, business development, infrastructure renewal, with agriculture and natural resource stewardship for all citizens of South Texas and will employ all experience and skills to the utmost.
  • Pro Border: Over 100,00 Americans died of drug overdoses last year in America. That was a record never before seen in the US. These drugs were manufactured in China, transported across our border, and sold on the black market to men, women, and children. Furthermore, uncounted numbers of illegal-immigrants from across the glob enter our country, freely, bringing disease, violence, and crime to every corner of America. We can and will control this. If we have no border, we have no country.
  • Pro Business: It is a fact the lower taxes and regulations will increase economic and business development...and that is exactly what South Texas Needs! SpaceX has chosen South Texas along with our robust business ecosystem, and it is growing at an unprecedented rate. But long term sustainable initiatives are needed for economic security of our posterity. International trade and cross-border shopping will only get us so far. I will work to increase space exploration, robotic manufacturing, bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing, and semiconductor production all forecasted for long terms growth. All the while increasing the Texas agricultural economy as the need for food and textiles and food will not diminish. In South Texas we can have both!
  • Pro People: The people of the Laguna Madre district are a special, hard working culture. We have years of tradition, history, and family all in South Texas. We work hard for our children so they can enjoy the beaches of South Padre Island, the palms of the Sabal Palm Sanctuary, the nature trails of Hughes Ramsey, and the water ways of the Arroyo Colorado to the Laguna Madre. We have been blessed as a people and plan to secure, promote, and provide future blessings to the people of Congressional District 34.
I believe that the Republican Party has a historic function to perform in the winning of the 2022 general election breaking, the previous, decades-long democratic stronghold. I will employ all skills and experience necessary and intend to do my utmost to see that that victory is won.

The issues I plan to resolve, vote, and work on include immediate continuation of the border wall securing Texas and US soil, less taxes and regulation for business development and economic prosperity, space exploration, manufacturing and robotics, and stewardship of Texas agriculture and natural resources.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Kunkle's campaign website stated the following:

Valley Veterans

The Rio Grande Valley’s Veterans are the unsung heroes of our home. Ensuring their lively hood, retirement, and health should be of the utmost importance.

I will work to alleviate veteran homelessness, training for jobs upon exiting the military, and securing the the health of their family and retirement.

Advanced Robotics In South Texas

Advanced robotics is the future of manufacturing and South Texas! Public/private initiatives between SpaceX, TSTC, and Texas’s Universities will bring innovation, growth, and prosperity to the Laguna Madre District.

PRO-CHOICE EDUCATION

The time is now for parents to take back their rights and choose what education is right for their family. There is no such thing as a one size fits all approach to education unless it is the tax-payer funding that is supporting it. The money should follow the child to what ever church, home, or public based school system is desired. Due to the lack of security of our South Texas Border, education systems have never been strained.

PRO-TEXAS SOIL AND WATER

The future and security of Texas relies upon the future and security of our soil, air, and waters. The Texas Gulf Coast is unique in that we have not only a border to our South bounded by the Rio Grande River, we also have a border to our East in the Gulf of Mexico. Here, countless families and business rely upon the health and growth of this ecosystem all starting upstream. We support producers knowing that the foundation of our economy takes root in agriculture.

PRO-BUSINESS

Economic prosperity is not a Democrat or Republican issue, it is a community issue. South Texas is poised to break barriers as we work to secure new industries in manufacturing, space, and technology. From trade schools at TSTC to rocket science at UTRGV, anything is possible in District 34.

Our platform will focus on developing capabilities for South Texas in Bio, Technology, and Space Manufacturing.

The future for our children is bright if we start now!

PRO-BORDER SECURITY

The security of our border is what secures our homes, businesses, and people. Weak security will produces…[4]

—Gregory Kunkle Jr.'s campaign website (2022)[5]

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Gregory Kunkle Jr. campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2026* U.S. House Texas District 34Candidacy Declared primary$0 N/A**
2024* U.S. House Texas District 34Lost primary$0 N/A**
2022U.S. House Texas District 34Lost primary$0 N/A**
Grand total$0 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 5, 2022
  2. Kunkle for Congress, "About Gregory," accessed February 1, 2022
  3. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 7, 2023
  4. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  5. Kunkle for Congress, “Our Campaign,” accessed January 27, 2022


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
Al Green (D)
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
Vacant
District 19
District 20
District 21
Chip Roy (R)
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
Republican Party (27)
Democratic Party (12)
Vacancies (1)