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	March 17, 1924 Dallas, Texas
Died	August 5, 1980 (aged 56) New York City, New York
Resting place	Lovington, New Mexico
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Dorothy Runnels
Profession	Businessman
Military service
Service/branch	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 a U.S. Representative from New Mexico.

Runnels attended Dallas public schools and Cameron State Agricultural College in Lawton, Oklahoma. 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. He served as a member of the New Mexico Senate from 1960 to 1970, and served as delegate to New Mexico State Democratic conventions from 1960 to 1979.

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. 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.

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

References

1. "Rep. Harold Runnels, Six-Term Congressman". The Hour. August 5, 1980.

Sources

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

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.