Why you should elect Tanawat “Reko” Roberson as (The People) Mayor of El Dorado, Arkansas:

Born in Bangkok, Thailand, I moved to the United States at age of 10. Currently 57 years old, I feel that I am in good health and have traveled internationally, which has provided me exposure to various cultures and broadened my understanding of different aspects of life. Since moving to El Dorado 14 years ago, my family and I have appreciated being welcomed by our community's southern hospitality. As an entrepreneur and former police officer in El Dorado, I've met many people and learned a lot about this City. As I stay engaged in our community, I often hear about concerns and witness local issues that transpire within our City. This forms the basis for why I am asking for your support to be your next Mayor, as I intend to address these existing issues and provide effective solutions. My aim is to continue serving this City, represent your interests, and improve El Dorado for future generations.

Following the announcement of my Mayoral candidacy, I was asked about my plan to fulfill these promises and my level of support from other elected officials. I am confident that I have the necessary backing, particularly from within the City and the County. I’m aware that the role of Mayor includes facing challenges that may create limitations, surprising obstacles, and differing points of view. With an experienced mentor and a strong supporting staff, I am confident I will meet and exceed your expectations of what you would expect from your Mayor, as I will focus on your city’s administrative responsibilities with the attention and professionalism that they deserve, while addressing any community issue that may arise.

My initial objective is to secure victory in the Primary Election, scheduled for March 3, 2026.

If elected and we go on to win the General Election that will be held on November 3, 2026; we will make Transparency one of my top priorities, keeping residents informed and build trust again within the mayor’s office. We will acknowledge and adhere to the annual Arkansas Legislative Audit and will disclose the entire audit with our voters. Our administration will look to work with the City Council to operate more within the city budget, which is set annually by the Council as your Finance Committee. We will work diligently to identify and reduce unnecessary expenditures. For example, we can work to reduce the outsourcing of City projects, as we should be training our city employees to help them develop new skills and expertise of residual services needed handle by the city. Part of what we will be able to save will be recommended to the Finance Committee to be extended to our current employees to provide fair wages and increase job retention.

I will work to ensure equal investment of resources to all four wards by working with each City Council member to find ways to meet and exceed your expectations. I will advocate for increased support and recognition for our local nonprofit organizations, which serves as a significant backbone to the most vulnerable citizens of our city. If these services were not available to our citizens, the city would have to provide them directly, weighing heavily on the demands of the municipal budget. We need to help support and advocate for what these volunteers do for our city, and the support we provide doesn’t have to be financial. We could provide a platform for a local nonprofit per month to use our city’s meetings as a way to introduce their mission and share all the different services that each one provides.

As the cost of living continues to rise and poverty levels remain elevated in El Dorado, it can contribute to increase in criminal activity. I am committed to collaborating with all uniformed departments. local business leaders, and other elected officials to develop effective solutions to address these challenges. A number of lawsuits against our city’s police department has created a strain on the City’s budget and eroded our city’s trust with the majority of our community. I plan to work with the City Council to establish Civilian Oversight Committee that will strengthen the relationship between the City’s police department and our citizens. As a former police officer, I continue to maintain professional relationships with many current members of the department. While many individuals are committed to supporting their families and serving the community, they often wish to express their opinions and concern but feel compelled to remain silent. Our citizens should have the freedom to express and voice their concerns or perspectives, helping prevent lawsuits and empower the city with the ability to operate proactively rather than reactively.

Due to questions regarding the circumstances of my separation from the El Dorado Police Department, I want to be clear and assure the city that I have nothing to hide. I wish I can go in depth about the circumstances surrounding the situation, I am prohibited from discussing at this time due to an ongoing lawsuit filed against the City of El Dorado Police Department by another complainant, whom I defended and made sure her Bill of Rights would not be violated. As an Officer, I swore an oath to uphold the United State Constitution, to protect and serve. I did not swear an oath to defend or go along with the wrongdoing of others. I have no regrets, because I did not violate any laws. I chose to honor my promise. In addition to my tenure, I received an internal City of El Dorado Officer of the Year award in 2023, a Life Saving award, and several other recognitions. Even though I am no longer with the department, I was recently named Best Law Enforcement Officer in the El Dorado News Times Reader’s Choice Awards in 2025. I believe this is a true reflection of how my co-workers and our community positively views my commitment to service to our community.

The United States Constitution serves as the foundational legal structure of our society. As your next Mayor for the City of El Dorado, I am committed to upholding our city’s mission. Coming from a country with limited civil rights, I am deeply grateful to those who have served and sacrificed their lives to preserve our nation’s freedom. I am committed to giving back and continuing to serve our city while respecting the laws of this great state and this great country, which have provided me with unbelievable opportunities and an exceptional quality of life. I believe everything happens for a reason. As a person of faith, I trust that God has plan for our great City and for me to work within the framework of our community support to provide solutions to our ever-growing problems.

At this time, I would like to pose a question for our voters to consider: In challenging times for our City, do you value leadership that offers words of support from behind the scenes, or do you want leadership that takes initiative and sets an example by working at the front of the line?

Let’s have some T.E.A. — Transparency, Equality, and Accountability.