Mark Bunker, an activist known for his opposition to the Church of Scientology, is seeking to regain his seat on the Clearwater City Council, this time for Seat 5. He was previously ousted from the council in 2024.
Bunker’s Campaign and Opponent
Bunker will be running to replace Lina Teixeira, who announced in January she would not seek re-election. His opponent will be Sam Wilson, a staffer for U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna. Bunker previously held Seat 2 but lost his re-election bid in 2024 to Ryan Cotton.
Bunker’s 2020 election was supported by Leah Remini, the actress who left the Church of Scientology in 2013 and has since been publicly critical of the organization. It remains unclear whether Remini will publicly support Bunker in this election cycle, as she did not do so in 2024.
Previous Election and Fundraising
In 2024, Bunker raised nearly $55,000 for his campaign, largely from out-of-state donors, but ultimately lost to Ryan Cotton, who raised just over $23,000. Bunker received support from Clearwater resident Aaron Smith-Levin, a vocal critic of Scientology who was later removed from the board of the Aftermath Foundation due to alleged ethics violations.
Sam Wilson, Bunker’s opponent, currently serves as District Director for Anna Paulina Luna and has received her support. He has too previously interned for U.S. Representatives Lauren Boebert and Gus Bilirakis, as well as U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.
Election Timeline
The election is scheduled for August 18. If no other candidates enter the race, the election will be decided on that date. If more than two candidates run, and no one receives a majority of the vote, a general election will be held on November 3. Candidate qualifying begins May 4 and ends May 15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mark Bunker running against?
Mark Bunker is running against Sam Wilson, a congressional staffer for U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
When is the election?
The election is scheduled for August 18. A general election may be held on November 3 if no candidate receives a majority of the vote.
What is Bunker’s history with the Church of Scientology?
Mark Bunker first came to Clearwater in 2000 to work with the Lisa McPherson Trust, which sought to expose practices within the Church of Scientology.
Given the history of activism and political engagement surrounding the Church of Scientology in Clearwater, what role do you believe outside influences will play in this election?
