Candidates for secretary of state

REPUBLICAN NOMINEE John Thurston

Age: 45 Birthplace: Little Rock Residence: East End Education: Diploma in biblical studies Current occupation: Commissioner of state lands Business-political experience: Commissioner of state lands (eight years); ministry operations assistant in Arkansas prisons (4 years)

DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE Susan Inman

Age: 72 Birthplace: Little Rock Residence: Little Rock Family: Widow of George Inman; two children Education: After graduating from Hall High School, she attended the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where she majored in elementary and early childhood education and minored in art Current occupation: Retired Business-political experience: Served as both a county election commissioner and a state election commissioner; served as election director for former Secretary of State Sharon Priest and as director of elections for Pulaski County; in 2009 she organized association for County Election Commissions in Arkansas, and was “A How-to Handbook for County Election Commissioners” that was distributed to officials statewide; selected by the U.S. Department of State to monitor and observe more than a dozen elections in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; awarded 2004 Public Servant of the Year from the Arkansas Disabilities Coalition

LIBERTARIAN NOMINEE Christopher Olson

Age: 41 Birthplace: Conway Residence: Viola Family: Married; three children Education: Bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Central Arkansas; B.S.E. in social studies from UCA Current occupation: Mental health paraprofessional Business-political experience: Campaign for lieutenant governor in 2014; campaign for state representative District 61 in 2016; vice chairman of the Libertarian Party of Arkansas