Harold L. Runnels

Harold L. Runnels
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's 2nd district
In office January 3, 1971 – August 5, 1980
Preceded by	Ed Foreman
Succeeded by	Joe Skeen
Member of the New Mexico State Senate
In office 1960–1970
Personal details
Born	Harold Lowell Runnels (1924-03-17)March 17, 1924 Dallas, Texas, US
Died	August 5, 1980(1980-08-05) (aged 56) New York City, US
Resting place	Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Lovington, New Mexico, US
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Dorothy Runnels
Profession	Businessman
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army Air Forces Reserve
Years of service	December 1942 – July 1943
Rank	Private

Harold Lowell Runnels (March 17, 1924 – August 5, 1980) was an American businessman and politician who served five terms as a U.S. Representative from New Mexico from 1971 to 1978.

Biography

Runnels attended Dallas public schools and Cameron State Agricultural College (now Cemeron University) in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Early career

He was employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., in 1942. From 1945 to 1951, Runnels was a manager for the Magnolia Amusement Co. in Magnolia, Arkansas. He moved to Lovington, New Mexico, in 1951 and became a partner in Southland Supply Co., in 1952. In 1953 he formed Runnels Mud Co. and in 1964 RunCo Acidizing & Fracturing Co. In 1960, he was a founder of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.

State Senate

He served as a member of the New Mexico Senate from 1960 to 1970, and as a delegate to New Mexico State Democratic conventions from 1960 to 1979.

Congress

Runnels was elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-second and to the four succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1971, until his death.

Death and burial

He died in New York City on August 5, 1980, of respiratory failure while being treated for pleurisy and cancer. He was interred at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Lovington, New Mexico.

Legacy

The Harold Runnels Papers (1971-1980) from his time in the U.S. Congress are held in the Special Collections of Eastern New Mexico University. Within the Golden Student Success Center is the Runnels Room, an art gallery name in Runnels' honor after a portion of his estate was bequeathed to the university].

Family

His son, Mike Runnels, served as Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico from 1983 to 1987.

Electoral results

1970 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Harold L. Runnels	64,518	51.37
	Republican	Ed Foreman (Incumbent)	61,074	48.63
Total votes			125,592	100.0
	Democratic gain from Republican

1972 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent)	116,152	72.17
	Republican	George E. Presson	44,784	27.83
Total votes			160,936	100.0
	Democratic hold

1974 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent)	90,127	66.74
	Republican	Donald W. Trubey	43,045	31.88
	American Independent	Herbert Horton	1,860	1.38
Total votes			135,032	100.0
	Democratic hold

1976 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent)	123,563	70.33
	Republican	Donald W. Trubey	52,131	29.67
Total votes			175,694	100.0
	Democratic hold

1978 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent)	95,710	100.00
Total votes			95,710	100.0
	Democratic hold

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1950–99)

Sources

• United States Congress. "Harold L. Runnels (id: R000510)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress