Fighting for Clearwater's future.
Honest. Fearless. Proven leadership.
Campaign Launch
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Contribute TodayAbout Mark
Mark Bunker is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and filmmaker. He won the Pacific Southwest Emmy in 2006 for investigative reporting on San Diego border issues. He founded Xenu TV in 1999, and moved to Clearwater in 2000 to work with the Lisa McPherson Trust — taking on the Church of Scientology in its own backyard. For more than 25 years, he has stood with people who have been abused and defrauded.
In 2020, Mark was elected to the Clearwater City Council in an historic win — the first candidate openly critical of Scientology to hold a council seat in decades. He served as Vice Mayor from 2023 to 2024. Coachman Park was transformed with the $84M Sound amphitheater. Gotham began building 400 apartments downtown. A boutique hotel is opening. Clearwater is coming back to life.
Scientology was not Mark's only focus. He changed the city charter to allow ADUs, championed body cameras for Clearwater police, kept affordable housing on track during COVID, and helped launch the North Greenwood revival. In 2024 he narrowly lost reelection — now he's running for Seat 5 to finish the work.
Launched the YouTube channel and website documenting Scientology abuses — earning the nickname "Wise Beard Man."
Relocated to Scientology's U.S. headquarters to produce video for the Lisa McPherson Trust.
Pacific Southwest Emmy, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, for a San Diego border-issues investigation with KUSI-TV.
Won Seat 2 in a historic upset. First openly anti-Scientology candidate to win in decades.
Selected by his colleagues to serve as Vice Mayor of Clearwater.
Filed March 2026. Election Day: August 18, 2026.
Track Record
Four years on the City Council. Real results. No empty promises.
Coachman Park transformed with The Sound Amphitheater. Gotham building 400 apartments. Boutique hotel opening. Retail space Scientology does not control.
Changed city charter to allow ADUs — tiny homes, granny flats, garage apartments. Lower rents for tenants, extra income for homeowners.
Container mall opening in North Greenwood. Low-overhead spaces to revive a once-thriving business district.
First to call for body cameras for Clearwater police. Invaluable for citizens, officers, and recruit training alike.
Kept two affordable housing projects on track. Closed Cleveland Street for outdoor dining. Provided meal vouchers for residents.
Served on Downtown Development Board. Secured funding for the Merchants Association to create and promote "The District."
Looking Forward
Clearwater is more than downtown. Clearwater is more than Scientology. Here's the full agenda.
Create a "Habitat for Humanity" for businesses. Continue expanding ADU policy and affordable housing across the city.
More retail, more residents, more life. Spaces that belong to the people of Clearwater, not any single organization.
Invest in police, expand community policing, improve infrastructure in every neighborhood. Safe streets for every community.
Sidewalks, lighting, services everywhere. Revitalize North Greenwood. Every part of Clearwater deserves attention.
No backroom deals. No special interests. Open government that answers to the people of Clearwater.
Keep public streets public. 8,000+ petition signatures say Clearwater agrees. Mark stands with the people.
In The News
Coverage of Mark's campaign, record, and 25 years of journalism.
Former council member and vice mayor files for Seat 5 in the August 18 election — "Somebody has to go in there and do something about Scientology."
Tony Ortega covers the official campaign launch as Mark returns to challenge Scientology's growing footprint in Clearwater.
Former Scientology senior executive Mike Rinder endorses Mark's return to the council and urges Clearwater voters to support him.
Civic watchdogs move fast to stop a county decision that would have benefited Scientology interests.
The former "King of Queens" star and Scientology survivor stands with Mark in his fight for Clearwater.
The full biography: 25+ years of journalism, the Emmy Award, Xenu TV, the Lisa McPherson Trust, and public service in Clearwater.
Support
IAFF Local 1158
Actress & Advocate
Author & Former Scientology Exec
Investigative Journalist
Make your voice heard — vote Bunker for Seat 5.
How to Vote
Everything you need to vote for Mark Bunker on August 18, 2026.
Clearwater City Council, Seat 5. Polls open 7 AM to 7 PM.
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Mark has always been a one-man band. With your help, we build something bigger.