Senator Anthony “Ant” L. Thornton is a Republican representing District 19 in the New Mexico Senate, covering Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe, and Torrance counties. He has served as a senator since 2025, following his election in 2024 where he won the general election with 17,400 votes. A retired aerospace engineer, Thornton is notable for being the first Black American Executive Director at Sandia National Laboratories, earning the 2001 Black Engineer of the Year Award for Professional Achievement in Industry, and previously running as the GOP nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2022.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Holds a Ph.D. and graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in aerospace engineering sciences.
• Professional Experience: Spent 27 years at Sandia National Labs, including as the first Black director; worked at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works; returned to Sandia as Deputy to the Vice President; later grew Universities Space Research Association revenue from $100 million to $160 million as Corporate Director of Strategy. Served 7 years as an officer in the Navy Reserves.
• Political Experience: Elected 1st Vice Chair of the Republican Party of Bernalillo County in 2021; 2022 GOP nominee for Lt. Governor; elected to New Mexico Senate District 19 in 2024. Active in community boards, including NSF rural STEM initiative, and supports local charities like CareNet Pregnancy Center.