Lucas Kunce

Lucas Tyree Kunce ( KOONTS; born October 6, 1982) is an American attorney, Marine veteran, and politician. He was the Democratic nominee for the 2024 United States Senate election in Missouri, losing to Republican incumbent Josh Hawley. Before entering politics, Kunce was in the United States Marine Corps. He served a tour in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan, during which he deployed on special-operations task forces and worked with security services. After returning to the U.S., he joined the Joint Staff of the Pentagon, where he represented the U.S. in arms control negotiations with Russia and NATO. In 2020, he joined the American Economic Liberties Project, where he is the director of national security. As of 2025, he manages a hybrid PAC called Heartland Patriots and has stated he will return to active duty in the Marine Corps.