Debra Buckner’s Proven Record vs. Adam Fogleman’s Ethical Shadows: What Voters Need to Know

 

Pulaski County’s Treasurer’s Office is not a ceremonial seat. It is the financial backbone of local government, responsible for managing millions in taxpayer dollars through receipts, disbursements, reconciliations, and monthly reports. This role demands precision, transparency, and proven financial expertise. When this office fails, taxpayers pay the price.

That is why this election matters. Transparency is the lifeline of public trust. Without it, errors hide, conflicts of interest thrive, and accountability collapses. Every dollar flowing through this office touches essential services. Voters must demand clarity and competence, not political maneuvering or private agendas.

Adam Fogleman’s candidacy raises serious questions. He currently serves as Pulaski County Attorney, advising the very office he now seeks to control. This is not just awkward—it is a structural conflict. As County Attorney, Fogleman has access to confidential financial strategies, internal audits, and policy decisions. Running for Treasurer while holding that role violates the spirit of Arkansas ethics laws and undermines fair elections. You cannot be the legal shield for an office while campaigning to take its helm.

His record on transparency is equally troubling. As County Attorney, Fogleman has fought FOIA requests, leaned on exemptions, and delayed disclosures. That approach may suit litigation, but it is poison for a fiduciary office that demands openness. If elected, will Pulaski County’s financial records become harder to access? His track record suggests yes.

Then there are private business interests. Fogleman is a founding partner and vice president of Common Ground Development Co., a real estate firm. He has participated in policy discussions on net metering and election operations—areas that intersect with county governance. These dual roles raise serious questions: Could his private ventures benefit from insider knowledge or influence over public funds? Arkansas law prohibits using public office for personal gain. Voters should ask if this candidacy crosses that line.

And let us not forget history. In 2016, Fogleman’s hiring as County Attorney violated county personnel policy. He applied for a position before it was approved or posted, and business cards with his name were ordered before the job even existed. Former County Attorney Amanda Mitchell stated she never reviewed his application or conducted interviews, despite being responsible for hiring. Judge Barry Hyde admitted recommending Fogleman months before the position was created. This orchestrated hire broke county rules and demonstrated a willingness to bypass process for personal advancement. There were no consequences then. Will the same disregard for rules follow him into the Treasurer’s Office?

Before casting a ballot, voters should demand answers:

• What direct experience do you have in month-end reconciliations, cash controls, and public fund audits?
• Will you commit to publishing full monthly reports online without delay or redaction?
• How will you prevent conflicts of interest between your private ventures and public decisions?
• How do you justify advising the Treasurer today while campaigning to replace that officeholder?
• What steps will you take to ensure Arkansas’s open records framework is honored in practice, not just cited in speeches?

These are not optional questions. They are the baseline for trust in a fiduciary office.

The alternative is clear. Debra Buckner offers what this office demands: 20 years in banking and finance, 25 years managing county funds, and a transparency record that other counties emulate. She publishes reports, maintains open access, and treats public trust as non-negotiable. That is the benchmark voters should insist on.

This race is not about party lines or personalities. It is about trust. It is about whether Pulaski County’s finances will be managed by someone with proven competence and transparency, or by someone whose record suggests secrecy, conflicts, and a history of bending rules. The public’s money deserves a Treasurer who puts openness first. Anything less is a risk we cannot afford.

ALL Power to The People.