Pulaski County Treasurer Race: Buckner Answers, Fogleman Hides

By Investigator Chief Elder Ean Bordeaux, Community Safety & Defense Advocate

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Pulaski County voters deserve transparency in a race that will decide who safeguards millions of taxpayer dollars.

The Treasurer’s Office is not ceremonial. It is a fiduciary seat that demands proven financial expertise, ethical integrity, and a commitment to openness. When this office fails, taxpayers pay the price.

To help voters make an informed decision, we sent a comprehensive questionnaire to both candidates: incumbent Treasurer Debra Buckner and challenger Adam Fogleman, currently serving as Pulaski County Attorney.

Buckner responded in full.

Fogleman has not replied.

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Buckner Speaks: A Record of Accountability

Debra Buckner opened her response with a clear statement:

“I consider this position to be of sacred public trust. Period.”

Her answers reflect decades of experience and a commitment to transparency. Below is the full transcript of the questions and Buckner’s answers:

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Section 1: Professional Experience & Transparency

Q1: You’ve mentioned over 25 years of service and 20 years in banking and finance. Can you detail how this experience has prepared you to manage millions in taxpayer funds with accuracy and accountability?
A: I have served as County Treasurer for 25 years, with more than 20 years of prior experience in banking and finance. This background gave me a deep understanding of cash management, internal controls, reconciliation, investment safeguards, and regulatory compliance. Throughout my tenure, I have overseen the receipt, disbursement, and investment of billions of taxpayer dollars with precision and care. Every dollar is tracked, reconciled, and documented. My office has consistently received excellent audit results. That record demonstrates not only technical competence, but a long-standing commitment to accountability.

Q2: What specific measures have you implemented to ensure transparency in the Treasurer’s Office (e.g., online reports, public audits)?
A: I have implemented routine internal reconciliations, segregation of duties, clear documentation of all transactions, and full cooperation with all auditors. We also provide financial data to county officials and the public upon request and online in real time. My office ensures that reports are accurate and understandable. Transparency is not a slogan—it is embedded in daily procedures.

Q3: How do you define “full transparency” for a fiduciary office, and what steps would you take to maintain or improve it?
A: Full transparency means that financial records are accurate, accessible, timely, and verifiable. It means taxpayers can see how public funds are handled without unnecessary obstacles. Maintaining it requires strong internal controls, open records, audits, and a willingness to answer questions honestly and directly.

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Section 2: Ethical Standards & Public Trust

Q4: What ethical principles guide your work as Treasurer, and how do you ensure compliance with Arkansas ethics laws (Ark. Code Ann. § 14-14-1202)?
A: These are public tax dollars—not mine! Integrity, impartiality, stewardship, and accountability always guide my work. I strictly comply with Arkansas ethics laws by avoiding conflicts of interest, not using my position for personal gain, and ensuring all decisions are made solely in the public interest.

Q5: How should the Treasurer’s Office handle potential conflicts of interest between public duties and private business interests?
A: It should never happen! I have never nor will I ever use the office for public gain.

Q6: What safeguards should exist to prevent misuse of public office for personal gain?
A: Strong ethics laws, independent audits, public disclosure requirements, and clear internal controls are essential. Equally important is the character of the officeholder—rules matter, but integrity matters more.

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Section 3: FOIA & Public Access

Q7: How do you approach Arkansas Freedom of Information Act compliance, and what is your stance on proactive disclosure of financial records?
A: I view FOIA compliance as a responsibility, not an inconvenience. These are public documents.

Q8: Would you support publishing complete monthly financial reports online without delay or redaction?
A: Yes, our office already publishes detailed monthly financial reports that exceed legal requirements. These reports are online and provided to the quorum court and other county elected officials.

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Section 4: The Opponent’s Ethical Concerns

Q9: Your opponent, Adam Fogleman, currently serves as County Attorney while running for Treasurer—a dual role that raises conflict-of-interest concerns. Do you believe this violates the spirit or letter of Arkansas ethics laws?
A: Public officials must avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. When one individual simultaneously represents an office while campaigning to replace its elected official, reasonable questions arise.

Q10: Fogleman has a documented history of limiting FOIA access and is a founding partner in a private development company. How do these factors impact public trust in the Treasurer’s Office?
A: Public trust depends on openness and a distinct segregation of private vs public matters. Any perception that records are being restricted or that private interests could influence public decisions will undermine confidence.

Q11: What message would you give voters about the importance of electing a Treasurer with financial expertise versus legal experience?
A: The Treasurer’s role is fundamentally a financial and fiduciary position. Managing billions of public dollars requires proven experience in accounting, banking, audits, and financial controls. Legal knowledge is important, but proven decades of financial expertise is essential.

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Section 5: Commitment to Voters

Q12: If re-elected, what new initiatives will you introduce to strengthen transparency and public confidence in Pulaski County’s financial management?
A: I will continue strengthening transparency through financial reporting, expanded online access to information, and ongoing review of internal controls. My office is the first in the state to add AI to help customers 24/7. Since March 2025, our chatbot “Penny” answered 6,300 questions and we plan to expand its use.

Q13: How can voters hold you accountable for these commitments?
A: Voters can hold me accountable through public records, audits, open meetings, and the ballot box. My 25-year record of clean audits, ethical conduct, and responsible financial management is the standard by which I welcome being judged.

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Fogleman’s Silence: Questions He Refused to Answer

Adam Fogleman was given the same opportunity to address voters. He has not responded. Here are the questions he declined to answer:

• 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?

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Bottom Line

This race is about trust. Buckner’s answers reflect decades of financial stewardship and a commitment to transparency. Fogleman’s silence speaks volumes. The public’s money deserves a Treasurer who answers questions, not one who hides from them.

The choice is clear. Pulaski County cannot afford secrecy and conflicts. It needs openness and proven competence.

ALL Power to The People.