Advertorial: Meet John Pagan, Democratic Party Nominee for Arkansas State Treasurer

Come meet Democratic Party candidate for Arkansas State Treasurer, John Pagan.

The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11 at Mule Kick, 2158 North Jackson in Magnolia. Bring a friend.

A special election is being held for the position of state treasurer. Mark Lowery was elected state treasurer in the 2022 general election, but died in 2023. Larry Walther was appointed to serve on an interim basis until Arkansas voters choose a new state treasurer. state in the 2024 general election. The person elected will serve the remaining two years of Lowery’s term.

Pagan is a sixth-generation Arkansas native born and raised in Little Rock.

“Both of my parents were proud graduates of the University of Arkansas who dedicated their careers to serving as teachers and administrators in public schools. They instilled in me the belief that education and professional training are the best investments a person can make,” Pagan said on his website.

“Thanks to the help of my parents, scholarships and loans, I had the chance to invest in my future by attending university. I received my bachelor’s degree in history from William and Mary; an MA and PhD in History from the University of Oxford; and a law degree from Harvard. After law school, I passed the Arkansas bar exam (with the highest score), worked for a federal appellate judge, and then became a law professor.

During a 40-year academic career, Pagan taught law and history. While teaching at UALR Law School, he served on the Pulaski County Quorum Court and later won a seat in the Arkansas Senate. His tenure on the Revenue and Taxation Committee gave him first-hand insight into the workings of the state’s financial system.

“One of my proudest accomplishments as a state senator was my sponsorship of the bill creating the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program. This year, approximately 27,000 college and university students are receiving these scholarships, funded primarily by Arkansas Lottery revenue.

His goals for the office include:

— Pay attention to taxpayers’ money.

— Maintain transparency in the receipt and disbursement of public funds.

— Prudently manage the state’s $11.5 billion investment portfolio.

–Protect the retirement funds of state employee groups.

— Promote the Arkansas Brighter Future 529 Investment Plan, which allows families to build tax-free savings for education and job training.

–Advocate the use of investment income to increase scholarships awarded to students enrolled in Arkansas colleges, universities, and vocational and technical schools.

CLICK HERE to view the Pagan website.

Political advertising paid for by the Columbia County Democratic Party.