This is an historic day in Clearwater.
Providing nothing changes as this is made into the official result (not sure when this will be), Mark Bunker is now a City Council member of the City of Clearwater.
The scientology backed candidate came in 4th out of 5… Once and for all proving that scientology in fact has NO political clout in Clearwater, let alone Tampa Bay.
Congratulations to Mark Bunker!
Also Congratulations to Frank Hibbard who will be the new Mayor of Clearwater.
The people I feel sorry for are those in OSA Flag. This loss will be blamed on them. It will not be pretty. We may not see any of those faces for a while…
Ammo Alamo says
March 18, 2020 at 12:14 pmMark Bunker won the Seat 2 race for Clearwater City Council, according to a Tampa Bay Times’ article by reporter Tracey McManus, who noted Mark’s margin of victory was 260 votes, though by reported numbers the margin was 224:
“The results include all early votes, all precincts and most of the mail ballots. Pinellas election officials said about 2,000 mail ballots that were left at collection boxes across the county remain to be counted. It’s unclear how many of those ballots originate in Clearwater and if they could change the Seat 2 outcome.”
The reported count was 6044 for Bunker and 5820 for Mike Mannino, his closest opponent in number of votes. Lina Teixeira received a respectable 4469 votes, Eliseo Santana, Jr. 3288, and Bruce Rector 2762. The Times reported a margin of 260 votes, Bunker over Mannino, but the difference in the reported numbers is actually 224. Nevertheless, it gives Bunker a margin of 2% of the total votes cast for Bunker and Mannino combined. In a small election of only 22,383 votes, with all early votes, all precincts, and most of the mail ballots counted, Mr. Bunker’s election night victory margin, whether 224 or 260 votes, is very likely to stand.
Congratulations to Mark Bunker for a well-run campaign and for his well-deserved victory!
Unfortunately, Mr. Bunker remains in self-quarantine at home. After reporting shortness of breath and coughing to his doctor, Mr. Bunker was tested for Covid 19. The results will be back in a few days.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2020/03/17/clearwater-city-council-seat-2-bunker-leads-four-opponents-in-early-results/
Pamela Pastiva says
March 18, 2020 at 11:32 amCongratulations to the new Councilman and Mayor!
Clearly Not Clear says
March 18, 2020 at 11:29 amThis result is such a resounding statement about what the will of the people of Clearwater is.
Their will is not that the church of Scientology own downtown Clearwater and keep it as a ghost town.
I think they’d like to have their town back, thank you very much.
I’m so grateful that Mark Bunker stepped up and is such a brave man.
Balletlady says
March 18, 2020 at 10:58 amCONGRATULATIONS MARK! Woohoo!
“Me thinks” that David M & his cohorts will begin to quickly PACK & head back to “HEMET”……far away from Clear Water, Fl where they will be safe thanks to “Jackie L”……
A.P. Styles says
March 18, 2020 at 10:04 amCongratulations to Mark and kudos to Mike for making those of us outside of Clearwater aware of how important this race was.
But as a former newspaper editor, I am obliged to point out that it was “a” historic day, not “an” historic day. There won’t be “an” history book looking back at the significance of this election, but hopefully “a” history teacher will mention it as part of the lesson in the downfall of Scientology.
Eat it, Dave!!
Moop says
March 18, 2020 at 9:38 amSweet! I donated to Mark’s campaign even though I live in Michigan, because I wanted this result so badly.
exbritscino says
March 18, 2020 at 9:16 amCongratulations Councillor Bunker!
This should be evidence of what the people of Clearwater REALLY want.
Even better is the scino candidate finished near the bottom of the vote, despite the fact that probably all the scinos in the area voted for him……..
Sandi says
March 18, 2020 at 9:12 amCongratulations, Mark! It is well deserved, and you are going to do great things for the city of Clearwater! (and I had fun contributing to your campaign based on how many times you were interrupted in your first forum :))
I Yawnalot says
March 18, 2020 at 8:22 amGood work Mark.
madge filpot says
March 18, 2020 at 7:39 amOMG this is awesome! Congratulations Mark and many huge thanks to all of those who voted for him and helped – Mike, Leah, Aaron and all the others whom I don’t even know exist. If I could have voted I would’ve. I’m sure the OSA staff are in deep doo-doo. Poor blokes – make this your chance to flee gang. Lots of help out here with no other agenda than to see you safe and living a happy and full life without fear. So DM has papers that have been served, court cases out the whazoo and now Wise Beard Man in the City. Looking good!
Xeenu says
March 18, 2020 at 6:26 amCitizens of Clearwater and Wise Beard Man 1 COS and Punching Pope 0. Congratulations to everybody involved and well done to the citizens.
Smudge says
March 18, 2020 at 3:48 amThis is not a good day, it’s a great day!!! very best wishes to Mark Bunker and to Mike and Leah for highlighting this insidious crass cult, we can only hope that this is the beginning of the end for misscabbage and his cronies who have long been complicit in destroying people and their family lives.
” The end is coming and a new day is dawning”
Very best wishes to all those affected by the scientology virus may you be cured real soon! keep up the good fight Mike, Leah and all those brave people affected by this cult!
love and best wishes from Australia – Smudge
David Griffiths says
March 18, 2020 at 1:34 amMark, thanks for running and congrats on winning (hopefully)! Importantly though, thanks for being willing to put yourself in a place that few want to be. You are the picture of selflessness and I know the whole Aftermath family are beyond proud of you. Know that we will all be cheering you on as you enter the arena…may you win conclusively in the many battles you are about to face, and may you be a real thorn in the side of the machine as you are in a position to shed light where light needs to be shed. A true voice of reason in a time where reason really needs to be heard. Kudos sir, and godspeed!
Jenyfurrr says
March 18, 2020 at 1:32 amCongrats Mark Bunker! I think this initial result sends a VERY strong message. Like Mike said, with co$’s candidate in 4th place pointing to lack of influence, then on TOP of that, we see how many people want change AND bold leadership that isn’t afraid to say the tough thing!
LoosingMyReligion says
March 18, 2020 at 12:55 amCongratulations! I believe that the section of estates will have some DM rooms to be renovated and put back in place tomorrow.
While IJC busy on approvals for mass deportations into the RPF.
The after elections ….
Unelectedfloofgoofer says
March 18, 2020 at 12:16 amThis may be a more dangerous than usual time for OSA dirty tricks. Especially if Miscavige starts to feel apocalyptic around his 60th birthday.
Mary Kahn says
March 17, 2020 at 11:33 pmThank you for giving a damn about downtown Clearwater and running. Thank you speaking up at forums about the real Church of Scientology.
Mark, Congratulations and Bravo👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Mat Pesch says
March 17, 2020 at 11:06 pmCongradulations, Mark Bunker!!
Queen B says
March 17, 2020 at 10:29 pmI’d love to be thefly on the Wall in little Davy’s lounge. I bet the whole bottle gets downed tonite and his rage is full blown.
Jethro Bodine says
March 17, 2020 at 9:51 pmCongratulations! I’m sure Mark will help make Clearwater Great Again – just remove scientology!
Cat W. says
March 17, 2020 at 9:08 pmJust a caution on taking it too much for granted: elections have a canvas period during which elections departments count vote-by-mail ballots, provisional ballots, and the like. In California it’s 30 days, though most counties don’t take quite that long. (Most do take at least 2 weeks.) Don’t know what it is in Florida, but I doubt it’s just a couple days. The “100%” means how many precincts returned ballots, not whether the election result is final. Until the election is certified, the election result is not necessarily certain.
Be that as it may, congratulations to Mark for his probable victory!
Mike Rinder says
March 17, 2020 at 9:25 pmYes the results will be certified around 27 March
Todd Cray says
March 17, 2020 at 9:01 pmCongratulations Mark! Congratulations Clearwater for clarifying how welcome a certain organization is despite its proclaimed economic impact and prolific humanitarian works.
And to the good people of OSA (I know you’re reading this): It’s either blow now or your face on a milk carton soon. So don’t go “where’s Shelly” on us; give a jingle to the Aftermath Foundation. Wog life rules!
TooDamgerous says
March 17, 2020 at 8:58 pmYes!!!
Lorna Carleton says
March 17, 2020 at 8:47 pmCongratulations Mark!! We are proud of you! This is the beginning of a long awaited end!
Tom Ufer says
March 17, 2020 at 8:47 pmThis is such great news!
Scnethics says
March 17, 2020 at 8:39 pmThat’s a such a good point about the good folks at Flag OSA taking the blame for this. I feel so bad for th…wait, what am I saying? THAT’S AWESOME!
Jens TINGLEFF says
March 18, 2020 at 2:23 amMike is being more kind than anyone could reasonably ask…
In any case, it’s actually the criminal organisation known as the “church”of $cientology which will be doing the harming. Maybe it will shake up some of the OSA minions and make them ask themselves if this is what they signed up for, and if life in the Real World is really worse. (Spoiler alert: life in the Real World isn’t worse, even if it just looks like that, right now…)
George M White says
March 17, 2020 at 8:34 pmCongratulations Mark. Awesome.
Len Zinberg says
March 17, 2020 at 8:30 pmCongratulations to newly elected Councilman Mark Bunker on his election victory!
And thanks to all the good citizens of Clearwater for making such a wise choice!
Councilman Bunker…it sure has a nice ring to it.
Gordon Weir says
March 17, 2020 at 8:29 pmHooray for Clearwater and Mark Bunker!
Glenn says
March 17, 2020 at 8:28 pmDavy boy habitually blames and attacks EVERYONE and ANYONE for the foot bullets and flaps he and his horrific actions actually create/cause. Yes Mike, OSA Flag Staff are likely to be DM’s target. Wish the boy had the confront (balls) to see only he brought it all about. But we both know THAT will never happen.
It is rejuvenating and enjoying to see Mark Bunker win Seat 2. The future for Clearwater looks brighter.
WhatWhenAllWho says
March 17, 2020 at 8:26 pmI am SO happy!! I’ve been checking the Pinellas Election site all day and when I saw that he actually had the most votes and 100% of the voting was in…I was screaming and dancing!!!!
Congratulations Mark Bunker and a big Thank You to everyone that contributed and helped this happen. This is a GIANT NAIL in the cult’s coffin.
What a wonderful bright spot of the day.
Mary Kahn says
March 17, 2020 at 11:28 pmYes. I was screaming and dancing too!
Marie guerin says
March 17, 2020 at 8:25 pmCongratulations , Mark. This a good day , thank you for running in the first place.