kids encyclopedia robot

Harold L. Runnels facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Harold L. Runnels
Harold L. Runnels.jpg
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

(1924-03-17)March 17, 1924
Dallas, Texas, US
Died August 5, 1980(1980-08-05) (aged 56)
New York City, US
Resting place Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in 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 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

1970 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2
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
1972 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2
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
1974 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2
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
1976 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2
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
1978 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent) 95,710 100.00
Total votes 95,710 100.0
Democratic hold

See also

  • List of United States Congress members who died in office (1950–99)

Sources

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Ed Foreman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico's 2nd congressional district

January 3, 1971 – August 5, 1980
Succeeded by
Joe Skeen

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

kids search engine
Harold L. Runnels Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.