MAYOR (Incumbent)

BIO: Drew Kurtz has called Bishop home since 2017. Originally from Auburn, Indiana, he and his wife Bonnie are raising a blended family of four children - one in college and three attending Oconee County Schools. Professionally, Drew serves as Director of Technology at FOX Corporation.

He first joined the Bishop Town Council in 2019 and was chosen by his peers to serve as Mayor Pro Tem in January 2020. In May 2024, longtime Mayor Johnny Pritchett - Bishop’s well-loved leader - retired and appointed Drew to succeed him as interim Mayor.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Since taking office, Drew has focused on giving residents a stronger voice in shaping town priorities. In 2023, he created the Bishop Community Engagement Committee, which has grown quickly and now plays a central role in guiding council decisions.

Under his leadership, Bishop secured $2.6 million in state and federal grants for sidewalk improvements along Macon Highway at no cost to Bishop taxpayers, making the town safer and more walkable. He has also helped Bishop Boogie grow into a signature festival that brings the community together each year.

Today, Drew is leading plans to transform the Bishop Community Center into a cultural hub for all of Oconee County.

QUOTE: “When Mayor Johnny Pritchett trusted me to succeed him, I made a promise to honor his legacy by leading with transparency, accountability, and vision. We’ve delivered real results, and I’m committed to continuing that progress for Bishop’s families.”

ENDORESEMENTS:

* Marcus Weidower - Georgia State Representative

* James Hale - Oconee County Sheriff

* John Daniell - Chairman, Oconee Board of Commissioners

* Brian Broderick - Mayor of Watkinsville

* Stephen Goad - Mayor of North High Shoals

* Janet Jones - Mayor of Bogart

* Nedra Johnson - Former Bishop Mayor

* Brock Toole - Oconee Board of Education

WHY WE LOVE HIM: Drew is always our voice of reason - even when things get heated. He’s a natural leader - running meetings with a gentle authority and guiding tough conversations without ever losing sight of respect. He’s the first to give out his personal number. He’s the first to jump into action—even when the issue isn’t technically in his court—whether it’s noisy dogs, a neighborly dispute, or a problem with the county.

He often says that he looks at his job as Mayor as not politics but as service. Putting it simply - Drew loves this little town and we love him right back!

Post 1/Mayor Pro-Tem (Incumbent)

BIO: Chuck moved to Bishop with his wife and 2 small children in 2009 and has been an active part of this incredible community ever since. As the longest-serving member of the Bishop Town Council with 12 years of dedicated service, he has had the honor of working alongside many of our community’s leaders to help preserve the small-town character that makes Bishop such a special place to live. He remains committed to respecting our past while working with current mayor and several members of council to build a future we can all be proud of.

QUOTE: “My focus moving forward is clear: I want to see the important projects we’ve started through to completion, tackle our traffic challenges once and for all, and work toward creating a safe, accessible trail and walking path system connecting Bishop to Watkinsville — and possibly even farther. With your support, I’ll continue working as Mayor Pro-tem to ensure Bishop remains a great place to live, now and for generations to come.”

WHY WE LOVE HIM: Chuck is our OG GOAT (for those of you without teens in the house, that means Old Guard, Greatest Of All Time). He’s been serving Bishop for over a decade and hasn’t lost his enthusiasm. He always knows who to call, what’s happened and what needs to happen. Can’t imagine how lost the council would be without him! But perhaps the thing we love most about Chuck is his heart - he’s always the first to say thank you and give credit to others. He’s the sweetest and we’re sweet on him.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Convincing GDOT to put in the “pocket lane” at 441 and High Shoals (you know the one - by the cotton field). He also runs the 5k event at the Boogie each year.

Post 2 (Incumbent)

BIO: Over the past 4 years of serving on Bishop’s Town Council Deborah has focused on community engagement, safety, and the wellbeing of our community. Her efforts and participation in the council’s decisions have rendered an enormous impact in the community. She is running for office to continue the progress of the work that has been done and to oppose any efforts that would impede the progress that Bishop is currently experiencing. She has over 20 years of experience in Community leadership as the CEO of a nonprofit organization. She is a UGA graduate with a B.A in Sociology, a M.A in Communication and currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Administration.

WHY WE LOVE HER: Deb is Bishop’s greatest cheerleader! She is the inspiration behind so many of the events we’ve grown to love like the Bishop Boogie and the Light the Lights holiday party. And she is always pushing to make Bishop better - bringing in ideas from her studies and other towns. She coined the term “Southern Sanctuary” for our little town which we hope catches on because Bishop is indeed our little sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Working with GDOT Rep Jamie Boswell on 441 improvements, advocating for community events and green spaces. Spearheaded the effort to evaluate the Bishop Community Center’s safety.

POST 3 (Incumbent)

BIO: Hudson Holder has called Bishop home for the past four years. After purchasing Hope Farm and restoring the oldest home in the historic district, Hudson and his wife Kelly dedicated themselves to preserving Bishop’s unique character through the renovation of several other historic homes.

As a husband, father of two and man of faith, Hudson is deeply committed to serving his community. He believes in protecting Bishop’s traditions while fostering a strong future for families and neighbors. Whether working on historic preservation or enjoying farm life with his family, Hudson strives to live out his love for the Lord through service, integrity, and leadership.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Working with Sheriff’s office to install flashing signs and share that data with GDOT. Encouraging police presence in the town.

QUOTE: “Keep the small town small.”

WHY WE LOVE HIM: Hudson is the heart of the council - never one to vote without careful consideration, he makes sure everyone is heard and always encourages compromise. With nearly two decades of private sector experience, his insight into zoning, land use, and development patterns are an asset to the council. One of the first times Hudson caught our attention was when a citizen needed more time to clear his land or get fined by the county - Hudson jumped up and said “I can clear it for you, how’s tomorrow?”. Hard-working, genuine and faithful? He has our vote!

POST 4 (Challenger to Mindy Porterfield)

BIO: Hello, my name is Jeff Davis. I’m a proud resident of Bishop, just like you, who cares deeply about the future of our small town. I’ve been married to my lovely wife, Marlita, for 29 years, and together we’ve raised four children here and now two grandchildren. Over the past 12 years my family has called Bishop home, and as a local small business owner, I’m committed to supporting the success of businesses that strengthen our community. My goal is to represent our town with fairness and integrity, ensuring that every voice is heard. I want to build on the positive progress we’ve made in recent years and help preserve the strong sense of unity that has defined Bishop throughout the time my family and I have lived here.

WHY WE LOVE HIM: Jeff is that neighbor everyone loves! He’s small-town, quiet, and thoughtful and when he does say something, he means it. We’ve had several chances to talk to Jeff and he’s ready to dig in and work for all of us. Best of all? He’s so funny! We can’t wait to go to a council meeting when he gets elected!

QUOTE: “Revitalizing Bishop, while preserving what matters most.”