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Harold L. Runnels

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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 byEd Foreman
Succeeded byJoe 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
DiedAugust 5, 1980(1980-08-05) (aged 56)
New York City, US
Resting placeRest Haven Memorial Gardens in Lovington, New Mexico, US
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseDorothy Runnels
ProfessionBusinessman
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army Air Forces Reserve
Years of serviceDecember 1942 – July 1943
RankPrivate

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

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Runnels attended Dallas public schools and Cameron State Agricultural College (now Cemeron University) in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Early career

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Legacy

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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]

Family

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

Electoral results

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1970 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2[3]
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[4]
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[5]
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[6]
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[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent) 95,710 100.00
Total votes 95,710 100.0
Democratic hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Rep. Harold Runnels, Six-Term Congressman". The Hour. August 5, 1980.
  2. ^ "Gallery is local art staple".
  3. ^ "1970 Election Results" (PDF).
  4. ^ "1972 Election Results" (PDF).
  5. ^ "1974 Election Results" (PDF).
  6. ^ "1976 Election Results" (PDF).
  7. ^ "1978 Election Results" (PDF).

Sources

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

January 3, 1971 – August 5, 1980
Succeeded by

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress