Sam Wilson Leads Clearwater Council Seat 5 Runoff

Wilson, a 26-year-old Republican, holds a 54% share of unofficial votes against former council member Mark Bunker.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Flat-color editorial illustration of a single civic building facade and tall flagpole over an empty plaza, in navy and cream with an ochre accent. — Sam Wilson led Mark Bunker 54% to 46% in Clearwater's Seat 5 council runoff, the first held under the city's 2024 charter amendment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Sam Wilson held a lead of 54% over Mark Bunker, who had nearly 46%, in the Clearwater City Council Seat 5 runoff election, according to unofficial results as of 7:20 p.m. Clearwater's first runoff election was held under a 2024 city charter amendment that requires a runoff when no candidate wins a majority in a primary.

Why it matters

The runoff is the first held in Clearwater under the 2024 charter amendment, making the result a test of the new election structure. Council races in Clearwater are nonpartisan, so the party affiliations of the candidates were not on the ballot as an organizing label.

Wilson's unofficial runoff share of 54% compares with roughly 49% in the August primary, when Bunker received 35% and Laughlin 16%. Final certified totals were not available in the source material.

The players

Sam Wilson

Sam Wilson is a 26-year-old Republican and district director for U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna who won the Seat 5 runoff lead.

Mark Bunker

Mark Bunker is a 70-year-old Democrat and former Clearwater City Council member who trailed in the Seat 5 runoff.

The details

Wilson, who is the district director for U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, acknowledged receiving support from members of the Church of Scientology during the campaign. Bunker, 70, is a former Clearwater City Council member and a Democrat, while Wilson, 26, is a Republican.

August 18, 2026: Clearwater primary election, where Wilson led with roughly 49%.
November 3, 2026: Clearwater runoff election, where Wilson led with 54% in unofficial results.

Political Context

Clearwater's first runoff election was held under the 2024 city charter amendment that requires a runoff when no candidate wins a majority in a primary. Because council races are nonpartisan, the outcome reflects a local contest rather than a party-line vote.

Clearwater residents now know the Seat 5 runoff leader based on unofficial returns, but the certified result will determine the seat. The outcome shows how the new runoff rule shapes which candidates reach the council.

The takeaway

The Clearwater runoff shows how the 2024 charter amendment changes the path to a council seat, requiring a second round when no candidate wins outright. Readers following the race should watch for the certified totals.