Hardin Richard Runnels (August 30, 1820 – December 25, 1873) was a United States politician. He served as the sixth Governor of Texas for one term but notably was the only person to ever defeat Sam Houston in a political contest.
Early life
Runnels was born to Hardin D. and Martha "Patsy" Burch (Darden) Runnels on August 30, 1820 in Mississippi.[1] His father died in 1842, and his mother moved the family to Texas the same year.[2][Note 1] There Runnels established a cotton plantation in Bowie County along the Red River.[3]
When the Democratic Party held its first convention in Texas in May 1857, Runnels attended as a delegate.[1][2]Sam Houston had upset many voters with his pro-Union position, association with the Know Nothings during 1855, and his vote against the Kansas–Nebraska Act.[2] As a result, party leaders blocked Houston's nomination for governor, and Runnels was selected instead.[1] Houston, sensing he was unlikely to be reappointed to the U.S. Senate, announced he was running for governor as an independent on May 12, 1857. While states' rights were the primary issue, the resulting campaign quickly became a contest of personalities.[2] Voter anger over Houston's recent political positions continued until election day, and Runnels became the only person to defeat Houston in an election by a vote of 38,552 to 23,628.[1]
Governor of Texas
During Runnels' administration, primary concerns were the slavery issue and safety of settlers in the western frontier.[2] On the slavery issue he signed a bill into law allowing a free Negro to return to slavery by selecting a new master. In addition, he supported reopening the slave trade (banned at the time) and attempted to force the state legislature to go on record supporting its reestablishment.[1] In more general support of southern issues, Runnels repeatedly stated Texas might secede if needed.[1]
Runnels advocated for reductions in the level of support the state provided railroad companies, arguing that the railroads had been slow in fulfilling their contractual obligations.[3]
The Democratic party renominated Runnels for governor during the election of 1859, with Houston again running against him.[1] Runnels, however, received most of the blame for continuing frontier depredations, while Houston had regained his popularity. As a result, Runnels was defeated by Houston by a vote of 33,375 to 27,500.[4]
Later life
After leaving office, Runnels returned to his home and never again ran for elected office.[4] He remained active in politics, serving as a member of both the 1861 Secession Convention and the 1866 Constitutional convention.[3] Runnels died on December 25, 1873, and was buried in a family plot in Bowie County. His remains were re-interred in a state cemetery in Austin in 1929.[4]
Runnels was a slaveholder. In 1860, his net worth was reported at $85,000, and he owned 39 slaves.[1]
Footnotes
^Some sources indicate Runnels moved to Texas in 1841.
References
^ abcdefghijHarper Jr., Cecil. "RUNNELS, HARDIN RICHARD". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
