Clearwater City Council Seat 5 · Nov 3, 2026
Mark Bunker
Candidate for City Council Seat 5
Mark Bunker is running for Clearwater City Council Seat 5 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Sam Wilson.
Voter registration deadline · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayFormer Clearwater City Council member and vice mayor, and an Emmy Award-winning journalist. Clearwater voters elected him to the council in 2020.
- Endorsed by
- Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Tony Ortega, and Tony Tello and The Nash Keys Dueling Piano Bar. Mark Bunker for Clearwater City Council
- Campaign website
- www.markbunker.com
In the Aug. 18 election, Sam Wilson received nearly 49% and Mark Bunker just under 35% in a three-way Seat 5 race; Kevin Laughlin received 16%. Florida Politics · Aug 18, 2026
Where Mark Bunker stands: positions on the record
Garden Avenue2 sourced positions
campaign website as quoted by Ballotpedia
Lists Save the Garden as a campaign priority, calling to keep public streets public and citing 8,000+ petition signatures.
“Keep public streets public.”
Own statementBallotpedia
as reported by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay; not a direct quote
Said he would have voted no on giving South Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology, but is not opposed to every Scientology-backed project.
Own statementCreative Loafing Tampa Bay
The Landings1 sourced position
Says he stands with residents around The Landings who oppose a large sports complex there.
“Today, I stand with the residents around The Landings who don't want a massive sports complex changing the character of their neighborhood.”
Own statementBallotpedia
Downtown entertainment center1 sourced position
Cited a possible downtown theater as an example of a Scientology-backed project he could support.
“A theater downtown would be a tremendous draw and a good way to prove they are serious”
Own statementCreative Loafing Tampa Bay
Electric utility1 sourced position
At a June 2026 forum, said a city-owned electric utility would be good if it made sense, and that the break-even point matters.
“It would be good for the city if we had our own utility, and I would support that if it made sense”
Forum answerSpectrum Bay News 9 · Jun 24, 2026
Housing1 sourced position
Pledges to expand housing options such as ADUs, tiny homes and garage apartments while protecting established neighborhoods.
“I’ll expand practical housing choices—including ADUs, tiny homes, granny flats, and garage apartments—while supporting local businesses and protecting established neighborhoods from development that does not belong.”
Own statementMark Bunker for Clearwater City Council
North Osceola Avenue1 sourced position
Was part of a unanimous 2021 council vote supporting a Church of Scientology request for a portion of public right-of-way on North Osceola Avenue.
Council voteTampa Bay Times · Jun 25, 2026
Property taxes1 sourced position
Voted yes on setting the 2021-22 city property tax rate at 5.9550 mills, 4.60% above the rolled-back rate (passed 5-0, Sept. 2021).
Council voteCity of Clearwater · Sep 16, 2021
Fuel tax1 sourced position
Moved to approve an interlocal agreement with Pinellas County to increase the local option fuel tax by 5 cents; it passed 5-0 (May 2021).
Council voteCity of Clearwater · May 20, 2021
Gas rates1 sourced position
Voted yes on Clearwater Gas System rate changes that raised the residential single-family monthly customer charge by $4.00 and cut the commercial rate (passed 5-0, Feb. 2021).
Council voteCity of Clearwater · Feb 4, 2021
Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Clearwater City Council Seat 2 in 2024 (lost).
Own statementPinellas County Supervisor of Elections · Mar 19, 2024
Also running for City Council Seat 5
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