Bunker seeks Clearwater council Seat 5 in Nov. 3 runoff

Mark Bunker, a documentary filmmaker and former Clearwater city councilman, is running for City Council Seat 5 in the Nov. 3 nonpartisan runoff. He faces Sam Wilson.

Bunker served on the council from 2020 to 2024 and as vice-mayor from 2023 to 2024. He lost his Seat 2 re-election bid to Ryan Cotton in 2024, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Asked why he is seeking office, Bunker said in our candidate questionnaire: "I served on the Clearwater City Council from 2020-2024 and am proud of what we accomplished during those years. We have a unique problem in Clearwater. It is the spiritual mecca of the Church of Scientology which has devastated our city's downtown. Since 1998, I have been helping people who have been abused and defrauded by Scientology and have not been afraid to stand up to the group."

Candidate information

Born: May 23, 1956, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Residence: Bunker said he moved to Clearwater in 2000 and has been a resident since, according to his campaign website.

Education: "I have a BS in Radio-TV-Film from UW-Oshkosh," Bunker said in our questionnaire.

Family: "Single," Bunker said.

Experience and public service

Bunker described his career in our questionnaire: "I've spent my life working in radio-tv-film, starting as the morning guy at a midwest station before moving to L.A. to work in front of and behind the cameras in TV and film. I worked for ten years in TV news in San Diego and won an Emmy award for a story on border issues. I also produced video interviews and documentaries on Scientology, served as a contributor for the film Going Clear and appeared on Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath."

He also served on Clearwater's Downtown Development Board, Pension Board and a county school safety board, according to his questionnaire.

Asked about accomplishments, Bunker said: "The first thing I asked for on the council was to change the city charter to allow ADU's like tiny homes, garage apartments and granny flats. We got that passed. … We brought in a New York developer to build 400 apartments downtown. A boutique hotel is under construction as is a parking structure. All three will have ground floor retail."

On the issues

Asked what made him run again, Bunker said: "I wasn't going to run again but I have been alarmed at the direction the council has been heading. … Scientology is close to having total control of the council with no one who knows or even cares to know how the group operates. I can't let that happen."

On what sets him apart, Bunker said: "No one else will take on Scientology. I'm not a shrinking violet. Whether it was at the news stations or from my seat on the council, I have always tried to help people who have been wronged and speak up while others remained silent."

On Scientology's role in city politics, Bunker said: "I'd speak honestly. … We successfully started redeveloping downtown despite Scientology with a major revamp of Coachman Park, the addition of an amphitheater and the apartments and hotel I mentioned earlier. … Now Scientology is promising to give us a new downtown but they are using deception every step of the way."