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

Sources