District 5

Kelvin is from Americus, Georgia. He has a bachelor's degree from Troy State University. He is married to Deborah Johnson-Pless and has six children and three grandchildren. He attends Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church.

Kelvin Pless runs for District 5 in Americus | Americus Times-Recorder

Kelvin is the instructional coordinator at an adult education center. 

Kelvin is currently a member of the Americus City Council, representing District 5. He was first elected in 2021 and is currently serving his first term. He previously served on the Sumter County School Board.

Believes in balancing funding for essential services with the financial burden on families.

- Believes in balancing funding for essential services with the financial burden on families.

Economy

Believes in the importance of community engagement and transparency in decision-making processes.

- Believes in the importance of community engagement and transparency in decision-making processes.

Public Services

As of October 18, 2025, Kelvin Pless did not have a website or any information online.

Housing & Urban Development

Believes the Police Department's current staffing shortage is a major security issue.

- Believes the Police Department's current staffing shortage is a major security issue.

Public Safety

Believes Americus needs new infrastructure to avoid problems like aging infrastructure and flooding subways.

Believes in using infrastructure grants to fix failing stormwater drains instead of relying on delinquent stormwater fees.

- Believes Americus needs new infrastructure to avoid problems like aging infrastructure and flooding subways.
- Believes in using infrastructure grants to fix failing stormwater drains instead of relying on delinquent stormwater fees.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Kelvin Pless

Kelvin Pless is from Americus, Georgia. He has a bachelor's degree from Troy State University. He is married to Deborah Johnson-Pless and has six children and three grandchildren. He attends Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church.

Buket Urgen

Katie Minich runs for Americus City Council District 5 | Americus ...

Katie has lived in Americus for 20 years. She lives there with her husband and their two children.

Katie is an outreach representative at the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

Katie Minich (Americus City Council District 5, Georgia, candidate 2025)

Katie Minich's run for Americus City Council District 5 is her entry into politics. 

As of October 18, 2025, Katie Minich did not have a website or any information online.

Supports increasing pay for police officers to reduce turnover rates and improve morale.

- Supports increasing pay for police officers to reduce turnover rates and improve morale.

Believes inadequate public services and crumbling infrastructure are significant challenges.

- Believes inadequate public services and crumbling infrastructure are significant challenges.

Facebook

Katie Minich

Having lived in Americus for 20 years, I deeply appreciate the charm of our city. After moving here for college, I fell in love with the community, and my husband and I chose to put down roots and invest in Americus not just for ourselves, but for our two children. We are committed to raising them in a place that reflects the values we cherish and fosters their growth. I am running for City Council because I envision a bright future for our shining city, one that reflects our potential while addressing the challenges we face. I aim to collaborate with my fellow council members and our mayor to ensure that the voices of residents are heard and their concerns are addressed.

Kathryn is an outreach representative at the Georgia Student Finance Commission, where she helps high school students and their families navigate post-secondary education resources.

As of October 18, 2025, Kathryn Minich did not have a website or any information online.

Kathryn Minich

Supports fair compensation for frontline workers, saying "Paying our police force the minimum is no longer an option."

Advocates for fair compensation for frontline workers to improve public services and reduce turnover rates in city roles.

LinkedIn

Lorenzo Johnson has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Fort Valley State University and a master's degree in criminology from Walden University.

Lorenzo previously served as a city council member for Americus between 2006 and 2014,

Lorenzo is the assistant director of residential life at Georgia Southwestern State University. He previously worked as a law enforcement officer. 

As of October 18, 2025, Lorenzo Johnson did not have a website or any information online.

As a county commissioner, established the Rylander Theatre Walk of Fame.

As a city council member, supported establishing the Rylander Theatre Walk of Fame.

Opposes increasing lot prices at Eastview Cemetery.

As a city council member, supported maintaining Eastview Cemetery and opposed increasing lot prices.

As a city council member, supported city park renovations and maintenance.

- As a city council member, supported establishing the Rylander Theatre Walk of Fame.
- As a city council member, supported maintaining Eastview Cemetery and opposed increasing lot prices.
- As a city council member, supported city park renovations and maintenance.

Approved the renovation of all city bridges in Americus.

As a city council member, approved the renovation of all city bridges in Americus.

- As a city council member, approved the renovation of all city bridges in Americus.

Lorenzo Johnson

Twitter

Instagram

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 