Meet Michael Pakko, a Libertarian for Arkansas State Treasurer

Michael Pakko is a Libertarian candidate for Arkansas Treasurer of State. On November 5, 2024, he will appear on the ballot alongside two other candidates, one Republican and one Democrat.

As a GoodParty.org Certified candidate, Pakko has committed to running an independent, people-powered, and anti-corruption campaign for state treasurer. He shared with GoodParty.org why he is the most experienced and most qualified candidate for the position.

“The treasurer serves basically as the state's banker, taking in all the receipts from taxes, fees, and payments, disbursing the funds to the agencies as appropriated. In that capacity, I believe I have the background and experience to be the most qualified person running in this race,” Pakko said.

Pakko has a PhD in economics. He served as a research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for 16 years, and has spent the past 15 years serving as the chief economist at the University of Alabama at Little Rock (UALR)’s Arkansas Economic Development Institute. He also co-hosts the annual Arkansas Economic Forecast Conference, is a regular media commentator, and teaches as an adjunct professor in the UALR School of Business.

“My expertise is in tracking the various elements of the Arkansas economy, forecasting, and doing interviews. I think this combination of skills, background, and experience qualifies me to be treasurer of state for the state of Arkansas,” Pakko said.

Pakko’s wealth of experience has also prepared him for the newer and lesser-known parts of the state treasurer’s role.

“One of the lesser-known jobs of the state treasurer, and something that was just added to the treasury portfolio a couple of years ago, is to serve as chairman of the Arkansas Financial Education Commission,” Pakko said. “I feel very strongly about financial and economic education. I've been a teacher all my life. I've been an adjunct professor wherever I've been involved with other aspects of my career. Having worked with economic educators within the Federal Reserve system, and being one myself, I'm very passionate about that. I think I would bring both enthusiasm and experience to that aspect of the job.”

In addition to his leadership as an economist, Pakko’s resume also includes multiple leadership positions within the Libertarian Party. He currently serves as Chair of the Libertarian Party of Arkansas. Prior to that role, he served as treasurer and as a district representative for the Libertarian Party of Arkansas. Before relocating to Arkansas, Pakko also served as Chair of the St. Louis County Libertarian Party in Missouri.

Pakko said that as a Libertarian, he can offer a fresh perspective on the political landscape in Arkansas.

“The problem that afflicts our modern politics today is what I call the homogeneity of the two political parties,” Pakko explained. “It used to be that there were different factions within the Republicans and Democrats. You would have the southern Democrats and the east-coast liberals, and different factions within the Republican Party as well. The two parties have drawn together to be two monolithic entities, where you really need to agree with your fellow Republicans on every issue or you're accused of being on the other side, and vice versa. 

“It's created this constant conflict where the two parties are at loggerheads with one another. Sometimes the only reason for standing one position on a policy is that the other party agrees with it, so you have to disagree with it. That's just no way to get things done. I think our politics would be a lot healthier if we had more parties, more factions, and more ideas, where compromise is possible and we can come up with actual policy solutions to the problems that are presented to us, rather than just fighting over principles or fighting over differences of opinion in how things should be done.”

Overall, Pakko brings experience, insight, and a deep understanding of Arkansas’ politics and economics to the race for state treasurer.

The election for treasurer on November 5, 2024 will be a special election to fill the unexpired term of the previous officeholder, who passed away while in office. Larry Walther is the current Arkansas Treasurer, and was appointed to the office by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to replace the previous treasurer, Mark Lowery.

Voters can learn more about Michael Pakko’s campaign for Arkansas Treasurer of State by visiting his campaign website.

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