Who is running for Clearwater City Council, Seat 5 in 2026?

On the November 3, 2026 ballot in Clearwater, Florida: Mark Bunker and Sam Wilson.

When is early voting in Pinellas County, Florida for November 2026?

Early voting in Pinellas County runs Monday, October 19 to Sunday, November 1, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, at 7 sites; you can use any of them. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sites are listed at https://www.votepinellas.gov/200/Early-Voting

Where are the polling places in Pinellas County?

On Election Day you must vote at your assigned precinct. Look it up with the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections tool: https://www.votepinellas.gov/198/Find-Your-Precinct-Polling-Place

Clearwater, FL Elections 2026: Who's Running for City Council

Who is running in Clearwater, Florida in 2026

Clearwater City Council, Seat 5: Mark Bunker and Sam Wilson

Clearwater elections

City races are nonpartisan.

City Council, Seat 5

Vote for one

Mark Bunker

Seems like good people

City council 2020 to 2024, vice mayor 2023 to 2024; documentary filmmaker

A longtime critic of the Church of Scientology's grip on downtown Clearwater, and says plainly that's why he is running. On the council he voted for a 5-cent gas tax increase, a utility rate hike and property tax rates above rollback.

Sources: Wikipedia, Tampa Bay Beacons, Tidings

Sam Wilson

Compromised Republican

District director for U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna since November 2024; Clearwater Housing Authority board

Runs the local office of Rep. Luna, a close Trump ally, and sits on the city housing authority board. We found little else on his own views.

Sources: Tampa Bay Times

Also on your ballot

Every Pinellas County voter also picks in these races. Full write-ups on the Pinellas County page.

County Commissioner, District 2 (At Large): Tim Hughes Seems like good people, Brian Scott Not enough info
County Commissioner, District 6: David Glenn Jr. Seems like good people, Kathleen Peters Seems like good people
School Board, District 3 (At Large): Curtis Campogni Seems like good people, Dawn Peters Not good people
U.S. Senator: Angie Nixon Seems like good people, Ashley Moody Not good people, Neil J. Gillespie Not enough info
Governor and Lieutenant Governor: David Jolly Seems like good people, Byron Donalds Not good people
Attorney General: Jose Javier Rodriguez Seems like good people, James Uthmeier Not good people
Chief Financial Officer: Annette Taddeo Seems like good people, Blaise Ingoglia Compromised
Commissioner of Agriculture: Joey Mendoza Atkins Seems like good people, Wilton Simpson Not good people
U.S. Representative, District 13: Leela Gray Seems like good people, Anna Paulina Luna Not good people, Tony D'Arrigo Not enough info
U.S. Representative, District 16: Kelly Kirschner Seems like good people, Sydney Gruters Not good people, Mark Davis Not enough info
State Senator, District 18: Karla Kemp Not enough info, Nick DiCeglie Not good people
State Senator, District 21: Jordan Hensley Seems like good people, Chris Nocco Not good people
State Representative, District 57: Wendy Hoy Seems like good people, Adam C. Anderson Compromised
State Representative, District 58: Bryan Beckman Seems like good people, Kimberly "Kim" Berfield Compromised
State Representative, District 59: Susan Rochelle Leff Not enough info, Berny Jacques Not good people
State Representative, District 60: Lindsay Polega-Quigley Seems like good people, Melissa Rutland Compromised
State Representative, District 61: May Thach Seems like good people, Linda Chaney Compromised

When and where to vote

Monday, October 5, 2026. That is the deadline for this election. Check your registration at registertovoteflorida.gov.

Early voting

Monday, October 19 to Sunday, November 1, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, at any of 7 sites, including the elections offices in St. Petersburg, Largo and Clearwater. Locations.

Election Day

Tuesday, November 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at your assigned polling place. Find yours.

Mail ballot

Request one by 5 p.m. Thursday, October 22 (online or 727-464-8683). All requests expire at the end of every even-numbered year, so request again if you haven't since 2024. The office must receive your signed ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day; postmarks don't count. Track your ballot.

Drop boxes

From October 19 to November 1, staffed return sites are open at the early voting sites and at libraries, recreation centers and tax collector offices around the county; they close November 2 and 3. The three elections offices (13001 Starkey Rd., Largo; 315 Court St., Clearwater; 501 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg) take ballots through 7 p.m. on Election Day, and Largo has a drive-thru from October 19. Sites and hours (PDF).

Bring

A current photo ID with your signature, such as a Florida driver license or ID card, U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military ID, student ID or concealed weapon license. If the photo ID has no signature, bring a second ID that does. No ID? You can still vote a provisional ballot. Full list.

Your ballot

Every contest in the county is listed on the Supervisor of Elections general election page; look up your precinct for your own sample ballot. Florida leaves unopposed races off the ballot.

Keep it free and independent

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