Voter's guide · Clearwater, Pinellas County and Florida · Records as of Sept. 27, 2026

The Sci-Tie Report

26 officials and candidates rated on their documented ties to the Church of Scientology: money from documented Scientologists, how they acted on church requests, and public backing by church members. Every rating is built from public records you can check.

6Strong
3Significant
7Some
10None found

What this guide measures

The Church of Scientology has asked Clearwater and state officials to hand it public land and streets, including part of South Garden Avenue, Grove Street, part of Laura Street and right-of-way on N. Osceola Avenue, and has sought legal opinions supporting those requests. This guide tracks three things tied to those requests: how each official acted on them, money each received from documented members of the church making them, and public campaigning for them by church members.

It does not rate anyone's religion, and it does not judge the beliefs of any donor or official. A rating reflects a documented record of decisions, money and public backing, nothing more.

Clearwater City Council and candidates 8

Strong ties

David Allbritton

Clearwater City Council, Seat 4 (term ending)

Church requests: Voted with church requests 2 of 2; sought AG opinion at church's suggestion; 2021 right-of-way vote
Scientologist money: Pre-2026 reports not yet reviewed
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backing+18 points

Tie points (0 to 12)12

Money

No 2026 campaign. Campaign reports from earlier elections have not yet been reviewed.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

Yes on giving the church part of South Garden Avenue, June 18, 2026 (+6 points).
Yes on first reading to vacate Grove Street, part of Laura Street and an alley for a church-tied developer, Sept. 17, 2026 (+6 points).
Met with church leaders, including David Miscavige, who suggested he ask for an Attorney General opinion. He then asked for it (+3 points).
Part of a unanimous 2021 vote granting the church right-of-way on N. Osceola Avenue (+3 points).

Sources

Strong ties

Jared Leone

Clearwater City Council, Seat 4 (elected Aug. 18, 2026)

Church requests: No votes yet
Scientologist money: About $32,200, roughly 39% of campaign resources, through outside PACs
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points12

Decisions and backingNo votes yet

Tie points (0 to 12)12

Money

Clearwater Strong PC spent about $70,000 on mailers supporting him. The money moved through a chain of PACs, and documented Scientologists gave 46% of the money at the top of that chain.
That makes about $32,200 of it Scientologist-linked, roughly 39% of the $83,000 in combined resources behind his campaign. 25% or more starts at 12 points.
His own campaign account shows no documented Scientologist donors.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

Not yet seated, so no votes. Each vote against a church request, such as the pending Grove and Laura streets second reading, would lower his tie points by 3.

The PAC spent independently of his campaign. This rating reflects where the money came from, not a claim that he coordinated with anyone.

Sources

Strong ties

Mike Mannino

Clearwater City Council

Church requests: Voted with church requests 2 of 2
Scientologist money: Pre-2026 reports not yet reviewed; about $127 via county GOP
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backing+12 points

Tie points (0 to 12)12

Money

His 2024 campaign reports have not yet been reviewed.

Party money passed through

The Pinellas County GOP took $67,250 from confirmed Scientologists and companies they run, out of $1,061,973 it raised from January 2024 through Aug. 13, 2026, a 6.3% share. Company gifts are counted only where state corporate records list a confirmed Scientologist as the officer or manager.
The party reported $2,004.98 in in-kind support for him in 2024. At 6.3%, about $127 of that is Scientologist-linked.
That is under $1,000 and does not change his rating, which already sits at the maximum because of his votes.

Decisions

Yes on South Garden Avenue, June 18, 2026 (+6 points).
Yes on the Grove and Laura streets first reading, Sept. 17, 2026 (+6 points). He called it “strategically leveraging a public asset.”

Sources

Strong ties

Ryan Cotton

Clearwater City Council, Seat 2

Church requests: Voted with church requests 2 of 2
Scientologist money: Pre-2026 reports not yet reviewed; about $210 via county GOP
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backing+12 points

Tie points (0 to 12)12

Money

His 2024 campaign reports have not yet been reviewed.
The Pinellas County GOP gave his campaign $1,000 on Feb. 27, 2024, less than three weeks after the party took $25,000 from four confirmed Scientologists and one likely one. Party money is noted but not scored.

Party money passed through

The Pinellas County GOP took $67,250 from confirmed Scientologists and companies they run, out of $1,061,973 it raised from January 2024 through Aug. 13, 2026, a 6.3% share. Company gifts are counted only where state corporate records list a confirmed Scientologist as the officer or manager.
The party gave his campaign $1,000 on Feb. 27, 2024, and reported $2,314.09 in in-kind support for him in 2024. At 6.3%, about $210 of that $3,314 is Scientologist-linked.
That is under $1,000 and does not change his rating, which already sits at the maximum because of his votes.

Decisions

Yes on South Garden Avenue, June 18, 2026 (+6 points).
Yes on the Grove and Laura streets first reading, Sept. 17, 2026 (+6 points).

Sources

Some ties

Mark Bunker

Candidate, Clearwater City Council Seat 5 (runoff Nov. 3, 2026)

Church requests: Voted with a 2021 church right-of-way request (unanimous council)
Scientologist money: None found
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backing+3 points

Tie points (0 to 12)3

Money

No documented Scientologist donors in his 2026 campaign.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

Part of the unanimous 2021 N. Osceola Avenue right-of-way vote while on the council, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times (+3 points).

Sources

Some ties

Sam Wilson

Candidate, Clearwater City Council Seat 5 (runoff Nov. 3, 2026)

Church requests: No votes yet
Scientologist money: About $555: $500 direct, about $55 through county GOP ads
Public Scientologist backing: Yes: Penny Jones endorsement

See the record

Money points2

Decisions and backing+1 points

Tie points (0 to 12)3

Money

$500 from Joy Gendusa on Aug. 21, 2026, a Scientologist profiled by the church's Freedom Magazine. She is the only documented Scientologist among his donors.
His campaign raised $43,026 plus $905 in in-kind support from Feb. 19 through Sept. 4, 2026, according to his treasurer's reports filed with the City Clerk. None of his other donors match a confirmed or likely Scientologist, including Rep. Luna's Scientologist donors.
His political committee, Clearwater Families for Affordability, shows no documented Scientologist donors.
About $55 more comes from county GOP spending for him (see Party money passed through). Together that is about $555, under $1,000 and under 1% of the money raised for him, which starts at 2 points.

Party money passed through

The Pinellas County GOP took $67,250 from confirmed Scientologists and companies they run, out of $1,061,973 it raised from January 2024 through Aug. 13, 2026, a 6.3% share. Company gifts are counted only where state corporate records list a confirmed Scientologist as the officer or manager.
The party paid Election Connections $865.38 for digital ads for him in June 2026, which his campaign reported as in-kind support.
At 6.3%, about $55 of that is Scientologist-linked. Added to Joy Gendusa's $500, his total stays under $1,000, so his money points stay at 2.

Decisions

No voting record.

Public Scientologist backing

Penny Jones, who calls herself a “Minister of the Church of Scientology,” urged residents to vote for him as someone “on our side” (+1 points).

Not scored: he was District Director for Rep. Luna, who is rated Strong ties. The three council members who voted for Garden Avenue endorsed him, and two of them, Ryan Cotton ($500) and David Allbritton ($100), gave to his campaign. He was also the only city council candidate who refused to sign the Save The Garden petition, which is circulated by this guide's publisher.

Sources

No ties found

Bruce Rector

Mayor of Clearwater

Church requests: Voted against church requests 2 of 2
Scientologist money: None found in 2026 records
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backing−6 points (already at 0)

Tie points (0 to 12)0

Money

No documented Scientologist money in 2026 records. His 2024 mayoral reports have not yet been reviewed.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

No on South Garden Avenue, June 18, 2026 (−3 points).
No on the Grove and Laura streets first reading, Sept. 17, 2026 (−3 points).
Publicly questioned Allbritton about meeting with the church before contacting the Attorney General.

Sources

No ties found

Lina Teixeira

Clearwater City Council, Seat 5 (term ending)

Church requests: Voted against church requests 2 of 2
Scientologist money: Pre-2026 reports not yet reviewed
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backing−6 points (already at 0)

Tie points (0 to 12)0

Money

Campaign reports from earlier elections have not yet been reviewed.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

No on South Garden Avenue, June 18, 2026 (−3 points).
No on the Grove and Laura streets first reading, Sept. 17, 2026 (−3 points).

Sources

Pinellas County Commission 7

Some ties

Brian Scott

Pinellas County Commission, District 2

Church requests: No church-related votes found
Scientologist money: $1,500
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points4

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)4

Money

Constantin Haag $500 (Oct. 7, 2022), David Minkoff $500 (Oct. 8, 2022), Patrick Clouden $500 (Sept. 14, 2026). $1,000 to $4,999 starts at 4 points.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

No commission vote benefiting the church was found.

Sources

Some ties

Chris Scherer

Pinellas County Commission, District 1

Church requests: No church-related votes found
Scientologist money: $1,000
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points4

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)4

Money

Constantin Haag $1,000 (Nov. 15, 2023). $1,000 to $4,999 starts at 4 points.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

No commission vote benefiting the church was found.

Sources

No ties found

Chris Latvala

Pinellas County Commission, District 5

Church requests: No church-related votes found
Scientologist money: None found
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)0

Money

No documented Scientologist donors in county records since 2016.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

No commission vote benefiting the church was found.

Hours before the Garden Avenue vote he texted Council member Mannino urging a delay, and the church later sent him public records requests. That was a statement, not a vote, so it is not scored.

Sources

No ties found

Dave Eggers

Pinellas County Commission, District 4

Church requests: No church-related votes found
Scientologist money: None found
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)0

Money

No documented Scientologist donors in county records since 2016.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

No commission vote benefiting the church was found.

Sources

No ties found

Kathleen Peters

Pinellas County Commission, District 6

Church requests: No church-related votes found
Scientologist money: None found
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)0

Money

No documented Scientologist donors in county records since 2016.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

No commission vote benefiting the church was found.

Sources

No ties found

René Flowers

Pinellas County Commission, District 7

Church requests: No church-related votes found
Scientologist money: None found
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)0

Money

No documented Scientologist donors in county records since 2016.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

No commission vote benefiting the church was found.

Sources

No ties found

Vince Nowicki

Pinellas County Commission, District 3

Church requests: No church-related votes found
Scientologist money: None found
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)0

Money

No documented Scientologist donors in county records.

Party money passed through

No Pinellas County GOP contribution or in-kind spending for this person appears in the party's filings from 2023 through Aug. 13, 2026.

Decisions

No commission vote benefiting the church was found.

Sources

State officials and candidates 7

Strong ties

James Uthmeier

Florida Attorney General

Church requests: Issued opinion that the church owns Garden Avenue; warned the city against conditions
Scientologist money: $1,002,500 to the committee he chaired
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points12

Decisions and backing+9 points (already at maximum)

Tie points (0 to 12)12

Money

Florida Freedom Fund, a political committee he chaired, took $1,000,000 from Trish Duggan (Aug. 28, 2024) and $2,500 from Terri Novitsky (Aug. 30, 2024). $100,000 or more starts at 12 points.

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

June 2025: warned Mayor Rector that tying the land deal to the church's other properties, or acting on religious grounds, would break Florida law (+3 points).
December 2025: answering Allbritton's request, issued an opinion that the church “most likely” owns the land under Garden Avenue and may seek its vacation without paying fair market value. The council then dropped its $1 million price (+6 points).

Sources

Significant ties

Ron DeSantis

Governor of Florida

Church requests: No church-related actions found
Scientologist money: $6,388
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points7

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)7

Money

David Minkoff $3,500 (2022), Trish Duggan $1,000 (2018), Pat Clouden $1,000 (2018), Joy Gendusa $500 (2022), Paolo Tucci $200 (2022), Aaron Cordovez $100 (2021), Constantin Haag $83 (2022), and $10 from Monica Agami (Likely, counted at half). $5,000 to $24,999 starts at 7 points.
Money to committees he supported but did not chair is not counted.

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

No official action benefiting the church was found.

Sources

Florida Division of Elections database

Some ties

Byron Donalds

Candidate for Governor (R)

Church requests: No church-related actions found
Scientologist money: $3,000
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points4

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)4

Money

Pat Clouden $3,000 (Jan. 5, 2026) to his state campaign. None found to his congressional committee.

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

No official action benefiting the church was found.

Sources

Some ties

Nick DiCeglie

Florida Senate

Church requests: No church-related actions found
Scientologist money: $1,000
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points4

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)4

Money

Patrick Clouden $1,000 (May 25, 2021).

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

No official action benefiting the church was found.

Sources

Florida Division of Elections database

Some ties

James Fishback

Candidate for Governor (R)

Church requests: No votes
Scientologist money: $50 (Likely donor, counted at half)
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points2

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)2

Money

Sean Clouden $50 (Jan. 4, 2026). Likely, counted at half.

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

No voting record.

Sources

Florida Division of Elections database

No ties found

David Jolly

Candidate for Governor (D)

Church requests: No church-related actions found
Scientologist money: None found
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)0

Money

No documented Scientologist donors in state records.

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

No official action found.

Sources

Florida Division of Elections database

No ties found

Kim Berfield

Florida House, District 58

Church requests: No church-related actions found
Scientologist money: None found
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)0

Money

No documented Scientologist donors in state records.

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

No official action found.

Sources

Florida Division of Elections database

Federal officials 4

Strong ties

Anna Paulina Luna

U.S. House, Florida District 13

Church requests: No church-related actions found
Scientologist money: $110,848 from 13 confirmed donors
Public Scientologist backing: Yes: Scientologist-hosted fundraiser

See the record

Money points12

Decisions and backing+1 points (already at maximum)

Tie points (0 to 12)12

Money

$110,848 from 13 confirmed Scientologist donors, 2020 through July 2026, including David Minkoff ($17,757), Norm Novitsky ($15,441), Tom Cummins, Jim Bridgeforth and Pat Clouden ($12,400 each), and Trish Duggan ($10,100). $100,000 or more starts at 12 points.
Another $24,200 came from 7 Likely donors (family members of confirmed donors).

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

No official action benefiting the church was found.

Public Scientologist backing

Pat Clouden, Scientology's Washington lobbyist Greg Mitchell, and Penny Atwell Jones hosted a fundraiser for her on Sept. 12, 2026 (+1 points).

Sources

Significant ties

Gus Bilirakis

U.S. House, Florida District 12

Church requests: No church-related actions found
Scientologist money: $10,600 confirmed, plus Likely family members
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points7

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)7

Money

Norm Novitsky $7,600 (2020 to 2021), Patrick Clouden $2,000 (2022), Shahab Emrani $1,000 (2020). Likely: Ethan Novitsky $5,600 and Donna Andrus $250, counted at half. $5,000 to $24,999 starts at 7 points.

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

No official action benefiting the church was found.

Sources

FEC receipts, Bilirakis for Congress (C00408534)

Significant ties

Rick Scott

U.S. Senate

Church requests: No church-related actions found
Scientologist money: $13,000
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points7

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)7

Money

Trish Duggan $7,600 (2018 to 2023); Patrick Clouden $5,400 net (2018). $5,000 to $24,999 starts at 7 points.

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

No official action benefiting the church was found.

Sources

FEC receipts, Rick Scott for Florida (C00676965)

No ties found

Ashley Moody

U.S. Senate

Church requests: No church-related actions found
Scientologist money: None found
Public Scientologist backing: None found

See the record

Money points0

Decisions and backingNone

Tie points (0 to 12)0

Money

No documented Scientologist donors in her Senate campaign records.

Party money passed through

Not scored. The Republican Party of Florida's state account shows no documented Scientologist money, and its federal account's $42,000 from the Duggans and Clouden is a tiny share spread across many races, so any pass-through rounds to zero.

Decisions

No official action found.

Sources

FEC receipts, Moody for Florida (C00895763)

Step 1

Money sets the start

Contributions from documented Scientologists set the starting tie points. So does their share of any outside committee or political party that spent to help the person. The Pinellas County GOP's documented Scientologist share is 6.3%. The higher of the dollar amount or the share of total campaign resources counts.

Step 2

Decisions move it

Each vote giving public property or rights to the church or a church-tied developer adds 6 points. A lesser supporting action adds 3. Each vote against such a request subtracts 3.

Step 3

Public backing lowers it

Each documented endorsement, hosted fundraiser, or call by a Scientologist to vote for the person adds 1 point.

Money points: $0 = 0 · under $1,000 = 2 · $1,000+ or 1% = 4 · $5,000+ or 5% = 7 · $25,000+ or 10% = 10 · $100,000+ or 25% = 12. Totals run from 0 to 12: 12 = Strong ties · 6 to 11 = Significant ties · 1 to 5 = Some ties · 0 = No ties found. "No ties found" means none turned up in the records searched, not proof that none exist.