Carl Kunasek moved to Arizona in 1961 and received his B.S. in Pharmacy in 1955 from Creighton University in Omaha. He owned and operated three pharmacies in Mesa between 1966 and 1983. In 1972, Kunasek was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives and was re-elected another four times, serving until 1982. In 1983, he was elected to the Arizona State Senate and served until 1989. From 1987 to 1989 Kunasek was the Senate President and oversaw the Court of Impeachment against Evan Mecham.
After leaving the State Senate, United States President George W. Bush appointed Kunasek Commissioner of the Navajo and Hopi Relocation Commission from 1990 to 1994. In 1994, he returned to Arizona government when he was elected an Arizona Corporation Commissioner and held that position until 2001.
From the guide to the Arizona State Legislature, Members Papers', Carl Kunasek, RG 97 SG 6, 1983-2008, (Arizona State Archives)