Treasurer of State, John Thurston was elected to office in November of 2024 as a result of a special election. Prior to his role as Treasurer of State, Thurston was elected as Arkansas Secretary of State for two terms. His first term as Secretary of State began in 2019 and he was elected to a second term in 2022. Previously, he served two terms as Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands. Treasurer Thurston is the past chair of the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council and past president of the Western States Land Commissioners Association.

As the Secretary of State Thurston served as chair of the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission and the State Board of Election Commissioners. In addition, he served as a member of the Capitol Zoning District Commission, the Capitol Parking Control Committee, and the Information Network of Arkansas Board. The Secretary of State served as a member of the Board of Apportionment, which oversaw the redistricting of state legislative districts that occurs every ten years.

Born in Little Rock and raised in Saline County, Treasurer Thurston graduated from Sheridan High School in 1991. He attended Agape College where he earned diploma in biblical studies and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in Economics.

Treasurer Thurston resides in East End with his wife Joanna and their five children. He is an avid outdoorsman.