Matthew Thornton's journey began amidst the waters and landscapes of Florida, where he spent his formative years running tugboats alongside his father, working on shrimp boats, and charter fishing during summers. Following his service in the Coast Guard, he embarked on a distinguished 40-year career in construction, specializing in commercial doors and automated entry systems. With extensive expertise in managing large governmental contracts across all levels of government and collaborating with renowned private sector entities such as Anheuser-Busch, InBev, Amazon, and Google, Thornton's dedication to excellence and sustainability is evident. Now retired, he remains actively engaged, overseeing his 17-acre ranch while dedicating his energy to giving back to the community that shaped him. Thornton's decision to run for Lee County Commissioner stems from his desire to contribute his knowledge and expertise to address the pressing needs of the county, particularly in the aftermath of significant events like Hurricane Ian. With a deep-rooted commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability, he aims to integrate these values into his leadership, echoing the core principles that guided his businesses with an impressive 92% recycle/reuse rate. 

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Now, driven by a profound sense of duty to his community, Matthew Thornton has announced his candidacy for Lee County Commissioner. Drawing upon his wealth of experience and deep-rooted commitment to environmental stewardship, Thornton seeks to leverage his expertise to foster positive change and sustainable development within Lee County. With a vision shaped by a lifetime of service and a dedication to preserving the region's natural beauty, he aspires to lead Lee County towards a brighter and more prosperous future for all its residents.