Blueprints to Ballots: New Mexico’s First Black Republican Senator Reps Diversity
Meet Sen. Anthony L. Thornton, New Mexico’s first Black Republican state senator, whose unconventional journey from aerospace engineering to politics reps diversity in governance and leadership.
by Samantha Anne Carrillo
What does “diversity” mean? Often associated with disability, ethnicity, gender identity, race, religion, and sexual orientation, the term means so much more. It also represents diversity of belief and opinion. As the first Black Republican to be elected to the New Mexico State Senate, Sen. Anthony L. Thornton, traveled an unconventional path from aerospace engineering to public service, repping diversity.
The son of an Air Force man, Thornton grew up “dreaming of a career in aviation.” His career included 27 years in multiple, notable roles at Sandia National Laboratories. Thornton became Sandia’s first Black American executive director in 1994 as Director of Diversity Leadership and Education Outreach, a position he held through 1997. He also held executive roles at Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs, a.k.a. Skunk Works.
Thornton, who represents District 19, believes his technical background gives him a unique perspective on governance. “I never thought I’d end up in politics,” says Thornton. “But I saw the state struggling in areas I care deeply about, and I felt compelled to step up.” In UpLift Chronicles’ recent election coverage, we failed to highlight Thornton’s election and the diversity it represents. This interview aims to rectify that oversight.
Addressing Crime
Crime is at the forefront of concerns for Thornton and his constituents. “When I was knocking on doors, crime came up as the number one issue,” he says. Thornton argues that the state needs stronger policies to combat rising criminal activity, with a focus on improving border security and combatting drug trafficking.
Thornton thinks establishing a state “border czar” position might help. “We need someone in the governor’s office dedicated to coordinating with federal agencies to secure our border,” he says. Thornton believes creating such a role could advance law enforcement efforts against human trafficking and fentanyl distribution.
Reforming Education
Education reform is another top concern for Thornton. “We’re ranked 50th in the nation,” he says. “We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.” He highlights Mississippi's educational turnaround as a potential model for New Mexico.
Thornton believes holding students to higher standards is key. “Mississippi started retaining students who weren't meeting basic reading and math skills,” he explains. “And now they've jumped ahead in national rankings.” He suggests New Mexico adopt similar policies, emphasizing the importance of early educational intervention: “We need to ensure students are meeting literacy and numeracy benchmarks before moving forward.”
He also sees promise in leveraging technology for personalized learning. “We need to rethink how we teach,” Thornton says. “AI and personalized online platforms could allow students to progress at their own pace while keeping teachers as guides.”
Improving Healthcare Access
Healthcare access, especially the statewide shortage of medical professionals, is another vital issue for Thornton. “We’re losing doctors and nurses at an alarming rate,” he says, attributing this exodus to changes in liability insurance laws that have raised costs for healthcare providers.
“The legislature increased liability caps, and now doctors are leaving because they can’t afford the insurance,” he says. According to Thornton, lowering those caps would incentivize local providers to stay put while also attracting outside talent.
Innovation in Governance
Thornton plans to bring innovative ideas to local governance, including financial diversification through cryptocurrency. “I believe New Mexico should invest a portion of our state reserves in Bitcoin,” Thornton says. “It’s a long-term store of value that could benefit the state financially.”
Thornton expressed optimism about bringing outside-the-box thinking to the Roundhouse. “I may be new to the Senate, but I bring fresh ideas and a willingness to tackle tough issues,” he says. “New Mexico has tremendous potential, and I want to help unlock it.”