‘Sam will be a strong voice for affordability, public safety, and responsible government.’
Pinellas County Commissioners Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer are adding their names to the growing list of supporters for Sam Wilson in his bid for Clearwater City Council.
With their nods, Wilson now has support from four of the seven Commission members. Dave Eggers and Kathleen Peters endorsed Wilson earlier this month.
Wilson is running for Seat 5 to replace outgoing City Council member Lina Teixeira, who announced in January that she would not seek re-election. Wilson faces a challenger: former Clearwater City Council Member Mark Bunker, an anti-Scientology activist who was unseated in 2024.
“Sam Wilson is a strong, common-sense leader who understands the issues facing Clearwater families and taxpayers,” Scherer said. “He is focused on keeping our community affordable, supporting public safety, and making sure the local government is accountable to the people it serves. I’m proud to endorse Sam Wilson for Clearwater City Council.”
Nowicki — who, along with Scherer, is among the newest board members — likewise said Wilson “is the kind of leader Clearwater needs right now.”
“He understands the challenges facing local families, small businesses, and taxpayers, and he has the conservative common-sense approach needed to help move Clearwater forward,” Nowicki said. “Sam will be a strong voice for affordability, public safety, and responsible government, and I’m proud to endorse him for Clearwater City Council.”
Wilson said he was honored to earn Nowicki and Scherer’s support.
“Chris has shown a strong commitment to responsible government, fiscal discipline, and improving the quality of life for Pinellas County residents, and Vince has been a strong voice for fiscal responsibility, public safety, and protecting taxpayers across Pinellas County,” Wilson said. “I’m running to bring that same focus to Clearwater City Hall, where we need leadership that listens, solves problems, and puts residents first.”
The Pinellas County Commission nods follow an endorsement earlier this month from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.
Wilson also earned support last month from the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association and has endorsements from Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector and former Mayor Frank Hibbard. Wilson also has support from U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, for whom Wilson serves as a congressional staffer.
Wilson has worked with Luna in various roles since mid-2022, first as a scheduler and later as a District Field and Legislative Coordinator. He was promoted to District Director in November 2024. Luna was the first to endorse Wilson.
Wilson has also earned nods from incumbent Clearwater City Council members David Allbritton, Ryan Cotton and Mike Mannino.
Wilson raised nearly $23,000 in the first quarter of 2026, bringing his total fundraising above $38,000. The totals are split between his campaign account and affiliated political committee, Clearwater Families for Affordability. Of the Q1 fundraising, nearly $16,000 of it went to the campaign, while $7,000 was raised through Wilson’s PC.
Compare that to Bunker, and it’s clear Wilson has an edge.
Bunker raised just over $1,200, with just two of his seven contributions coming from Clearwater residents. Two of the contributions were from out of state, with the remaining three coming from residents in Nokomis, Sarasota and Palm Harbor.
Wilson previously told Florida Politics his top priorities include addressing affordability issues in the city and ensuring transparency in city business.
The Clearwater City Council election is Aug. 18.
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