Texas Insurance Executive Enters State Senate Race

Richard “Gordy” Bunch, founder, president and CEO of The Woodlands, Texas-based insurance agency, The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG), has announced his candidacy for the state’s 4th Senate District.

A special election will be held on May 10 to fill the seat left vacant after Sen. Tommy Williams resigned to take a job as vice chancellor at Texas A&M University, his alma mater. The 4th Senate District encompasses all or part of the following counties: Chambers, Harris, Galveston, Jefferson and Montgomery.

To help kick-start voter communications and establish campaign offices, Bunch has launched a fund-raising campaign with a personal $250,000 investment.

Bunch started the Woodlands Financial Group in 2001 at the age of 29 with $10,000 in savings. TWFG operates in 38 states and has a widespread presence in the 4th Senate District, with almost 200 offices and affiliated agencies with 1,000 related jobs.

Bunch is running as a Republican. Other candidates for the Senate District 4 seat so far include State Representative Brandon Creighton and State Representative Steve Toth, also Republicans. Potential candidates have until March 10 to file for a spot on the ballot. The position is up for re-election in 2016.