John Thurston

John Thurston (Republican Party) is the Arkansas Treasurer. He assumed office on January 1, 2025. His current term ends on January 12, 2027.

Thurston (Republican Party) ran in a special election for Arkansas Treasurer. He won in the special general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

John Thurston was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He earned a high school diploma from Sheridan High School in 1991, a degree in biblical studies from Agape College in 1999, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. His career experience includes ministry operations at Agape Church in Little Rock and serving as a licensed minister within the Arkansas state prison system.^[1]^[2]

Political career

Arkansas Treasurer (2025-present)

Thurston was first elected as the Arkansas Treasurer on November 5, 2024 and was sworn into office on January 1, 2025. He succeeded Larry Walther.^[3]

Arkansas Secretary of State (2019-2025)

Thurston was sworn into office as the Arkansas secretary of state on January 15, 2019, becoming the second Republican to hold the office since 1874.^[4]

Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands (2011-2019)

Thurston was sworn into the office of Arkansas commissioner of state lands on January 11, 2011, becoming the first Republican to hold the office since 1874.^[5] He served in that position until January 2019.

Elections

2024

General election

Special general election for Arkansas Treasurer

John Thurston defeated John Pagan and Michael Pakko in the special general election for Arkansas Treasurer on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	John Thurston (R)	65.4	755,156
	John Pagan (D)	30.3	350,210
	Michael Pakko (L)	4.3	49,847

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,155,213
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Democratic primary election

Special Democratic primary for Arkansas Treasurer

John Pagan advanced from the special Democratic primary for Arkansas Treasurer on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		John Pagan

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
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Republican primary election

Special Republican primary for Arkansas Treasurer

John Thurston advanced from the special Republican primary for Arkansas Treasurer on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		John Thurston

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
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Libertarian convention

Special Libertarian convention for Arkansas Treasurer

Michael Pakko advanced from the special Libertarian convention for Arkansas Treasurer on February 25, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		Michael Pakko (L)

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Thurston in this election.