D'Antonio announces run for NM House District 57

John D’Antonio Jr., former New Mexico state engineer and secretary of the environment department, has entered the race for the New Mexico House District 57 seat being vacated by Jason Harper.

D’Antonio served as state engineer under three governors and has decades of experience in water resources engineering, regulation and management, including implementation of sound water policy using technical engineering judgment in combination with extensive water rights knowledge and expertise. As state engineer, D’Antonio oversaw an annual $50 million operating budget and $100 million capital outlay budget. He has experience in building coalitions with state and local governments, federal agencies, private-sector organizations and sovereign tribal nations solving complex water right issues through the settlement process.

“When I found out Harper had decided not to run again, I knew it was something I needed to do for the state, my district and my community," D'Antonio said. "I have extensive experience with the New Mexico legislative process. I have presented to numerous House and Senate committees regarding agency budgets, special appropriations and proposed legislation. I have testified on the New Mexico House and Senate floors and before the U.S. Congress. I have good working relationships with agency and department heads and staff. There will be no on-the-job training for me; I will be able to hit the ground running and will be effective on day one. It was never part of my long-range career plan, but there are some things you just can’t foresee.”

D’Antonio is a native New Mexican, born and raised in Albuquerque. He and his wife Cassandra raised their four kids in Albuquerque.

“My wife and I often worried about how we would pay all of our bills and be able to provide for our family," D'Antonio said. "Though we both had college degrees and professional jobs, we still often lived paycheck to paycheck. It was expensive then, and it seems a lot more expensive now. I don’t know how our three daughters can afford to raise our eight grandchildren with today’s economy.

“Our young families need the support of their extended family, communities and churches now more than ever. I believe the government, the private sector and higher education have a responsibility to work together as partners to create a thriving economy, which attracts businesses, which provide good-paying jobs, both of which provide tax revenues so that government can provide the services they are responsible for providing to their citizens. We are all in it together."

After retiring from the state of New Mexico two years ago, D’Antonio and his wife started American West Water Advisors, a small business helping clients on their water and infrastructure needs, policy and implementation.

“I’m sure a lot of people will think all I know is water and infrastructure. Yes, those are the fields I have decades of experience in and those are important to our quality of life. But so are good schools, public safety, educational opportunities for all, access to health care, mental health, veterans support, access to natural open spaces and recreational areas," D'Antonio said. "I am a supporter of public schools, but also a proponent of charter schools that can accommodate the special needs and interests of a diverse range of students. I also support STEM programs and trade schools and community colleges. Not everyone needs a college degree to succeed today, and the economy doesn’t need everyone to be degreed."