Daniel I.J. Thornton

Daniel I.J. Thornton Historical Figure Nationality: United States Year of Birth: 1911 Year of Death: 1976 Cause of Death: Heart attack Occupation: Rancher, politician Spouse: Jessie Willock Political Party: Republican Party Political Office(s): Governor of Colorado Fictional Appearances: The Hot War POD: November, 1950 Appearance(s): Bombs Away Type of Appearance: Oblique posthumous reference Date of Death: 1951 Cause of Death: Killed in an atomic explosion (World War III) Political Office(s): Governor of Colorado

Daniel Isaac J. Thornton (January 31, 1911 – January 19, 1976) was an American cattle breeder and Republican politician who served as the 33rd Governor of the State of Colorado from 1951 to 1955. Born in Texas, Thornton began his cattle operation in Arizona. He moved the business to Colorado in 1941. He entered politics in 1948, and was elected to the State Senate. In 1950, Thornton defeated incumbent Democratic Governor Walter Walford Johnson. Thornton was known for his Stetson hat, pipe, and cowboy boots. Among his accomplishments as governor was getting the United States Air Force to establish its academy in Colorado Springs. He was on the short list of candidates Dwight Eisenhower considered as his running mate in 1952 before he settled on Richard Nixon.

Thornton left politics after losing the U.S. Senate election in 1956. The City of Thornton was named in his honor.

Daniel I.J. Thornton in The Hot War

Governor Daniel I.J. Thornton (1911-1951) was killed when the Soviet Union destroyed Denver with an atomic bomb on March 2, 1951. It fell to the Federal government to call out the National Guard for the state.

Literary comment

Thornton is not named, but the POD would not have affected his election in 1950.

References

Political offices (OTL)
Preceded by Walter Walford Johnson	Governor of Colorado 1951-1955	Succeeded by Edwin Carl Johnson
Political offices (The Hot War)
Preceded by Walter Walford Johnson	Governor of Colorado January 9-March 2, 1951	Succeeded by Unknown