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, US |
| Died | August 5, 1980 (aged 56) New York City, US |
| Resting place | 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 a U.S. Representative from New Mexico.
Runnels attended Dallas public schools and Cameron State Agricultural College (now Cemeron University) 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 as a 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.
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].[2]
His son, Mike Runnels, served as Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico from 1983 to 1987.
