Secretary of State
1. Abortion: The 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court abortion decision.
2. COVID: Letting private businesses terminate employees who are not vaccinated against COVID-19.
John Thurston (Republican)
Oppose
Personal liberty trumps all. Individuals have the right to choose what goes in their bodies and make their own healthcare decisions.
Personal liberty trumps all. Individuals have the right to choose what goes in their bodies and make their own healthcare decisions.
3. Marijuana: Legalizing recreational marijuana in Arkansas.
4. Education: Allowing public funds allocated for the education of a child to be used to pay for an education at any school the parent chooses.
John Thurston (Republican)
Support
I support a parent's right to choose the best education possible for their children. My concerns on this surround the funding mechanism and the potential governmental controls over our education systems.
I support a parent's right to choose the best education possible for their children. My concerns on this surround the funding mechanism and the potential governmental controls over our education systems.
5. Critical Race Theory: Withholding state funds from any public school that promotes critical race theory.
John Thurston (Republican)
Support
We have come a long way as a nation since the civil war. This type of teaching sets us back and provides no valuable impact.
We have come a long way as a nation since the civil war. This type of teaching sets us back and provides no valuable impact.
6. Elections: Requiring absentee ballots to be notarized in order to be counted in an election.
John Thurston (Republican)
Support
As the Secretary of State I have made this a top priority and currently Arkansas ranks 4th nationally in terms of election integrity. In the 2020 general election, Arkansas saw record turnout, during a pandemic, and yet we had one of the safest and most secure elections in state history. Any election security measures should be Constitutional and not disenfranchise voters.
As the Secretary of State I have made this a top priority and currently Arkansas ranks 4th nationally in terms of election integrity. In the 2020 general election, Arkansas saw record turnout, during a pandemic, and yet we had one of the safest and most secure elections in state history. Any election security measures should be Constitutional and not disenfranchise voters.
7. Privacy: Requiring individuals to use the changing room, restroom, or shower of their biological sex on government property—such as public schools, state parks, and government buildings.
John Thurston (Republican)
Support
My first concern is the safety of our children and protecting them at all costs. We as a nation need our societal norms to reflect biblical standards.
My first concern is the safety of our children and protecting them at all costs. We as a nation need our societal norms to reflect biblical standards.
8. Nursing Homes: Allowing family members to place a “granny camera” in the room of a nursing home resident for monitoring and visiting purposes.
9. Marriage: Making it more difficult to obtain a divorce by eliminating general indignities as grounds for divorce.