Harold L. Runnels
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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 March 17, 1924 |
| Died | August 5, 1980 (aged 56) New York City, US |
| Resting place | Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Lovington, New Mexico, US |
| 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 |
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.[1] 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 named in Runnels' honor after a portion of his estate was bequeathed to the university.[2]
Family
His son, Mike Runnels, served as Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico from 1983 to 1987.
Electoral results
| 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 | ||||||
| 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 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent) | 95,710 | 100.00 | |
| Total votes | 95,710 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
