Melissa McDonough
TX-38 Democratic nominee?
$1.7K
MAR 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleRealtor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationTexas
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BackgroundRealtor
Notable personal detailsMelissa A. McDonough is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Texas's 38th Congressional District. She has worked in real estate as a REALTOR and brokerage owner/manager and has described experience lobbying the U.S. Congress and Texas Legislature. She is based in Tomball, Texas, and has run for the seat in prior cycles.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
The candidate’s campaign materials emphasize protecting Social Security, expanding access to healthcare (including support for Medicare for All and Medicaid expansion), addressing inflation, and supporting affordable housing and homeowner tax deductions. The campaign site discusses pro-consumer and pro-renewable energy economic priorities but does not state explicit positions on tax rate changes for high-income earners or corporations.
Healthcare
The candidate supports universal healthcare and has indicated support for Medicare for All. She advocates expanding Medicaid and using federal dollars to fund health clinics in public schools to increase access to care. These positions prioritize government-led expansions of coverage and services.
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Immigration & Border
Supports a humane, welcoming immigration system that expands legal supports for newcomers, provides public legal and settlement assistance, protects against unconstitutional ICE actions and politically-motivated deportations, and increases services for economic integration.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports full bodily autonomy and federal protections for reproductive healthcare, including access to family planning, IVF, and abortion care; opposes imposing religious or personal preferences that restrict access to reproductive services. Commits to fighting in Congress to protect and ensure ready access to reproductive healthcare and choice.
Climate & Energy
Supports renewable energy innovation alongside continued use of petroleum as part of a managed transition; favors using renewables in conjunction with fossil fuels to stabilize the grid and mitigate environmental harm. Endorses transitioning to renewable-energy jobs as part of economic policy.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports responsible gun ownership and policies to reduce mass shootings while respecting the Second Amendment; she calls for promoting gun safety and addressing the mental-health crisis rather than an outright ban. Her campaign platform emphasizes protecting children and stopping mass shootings through “common sense” gun-safety measures.
News
Melissa McDonough is in the news because she is the Democratic nominee in the race for Texas’s 38th Congressional District. Republican Jon Bonck has now won his party’s runoff and will face her in the general election. The seat is open after Rep. Wesley Hunt decided not to seek reelection.
Endorsements
Endorsers of Melissa McDonough for TX-38 Democratic nominee?
Texas AFL-CIO COPE
Labor organization
Texas AFL-CIO COPE endorsed Melissa McDonough in its 2026 general election pro-worker endorsements.
Houston Chronicle Editorial Board
Public figure
Houston Chronicle Editorial Board endorsed Melissa McDonough in the Democratic primary for Texas' 38th Congressional District.
Houston Black American Democrats
Public figure
Houston Black American Democrats endorsed Melissa McDonough in its 2026 endorsements.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262024
2026
LatestCycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls