John Thurston is a Republican politician who served two terms as Arkansas Secretary of State before being elected Arkansas Treasurer of State in a special election in November 2024. He does not represent a specific legislative district, as these roles are statewide elected positions. Born in Little Rock and raised in Saline County, he graduated from Sheridan High School in 1991, resides in East End with his wife Joanna and their five children, and is an avid outdoorsman.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Earned a diploma in biblical studies from Agape College and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
• Political Experience:
  • Treasurer of State .
  • Secretary of State ; chaired the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission, State Board of Election Commissioners, and served on the Board of Apportionment for legislative redistricting.
  • Commissioner of State Lands ; managed a $40 million annual budget and returned over $118 million to Arkansas counties .
  • Past chair of the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council and past president of the Western States Land Commissioners Association.

Notable achievements include overseeing fair elections, maintaining State Capitol grounds and security, and leadership in land management and resource councils.