Michael L. Runnels (September 11, 1945 – February 5, 2015) was an American politician and lawyer.

Early life and education

Born in

Magnolia, Arkansas Magnolia is a city in Columbia County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 11,577. The city is the county seat of Columbia County. Magnolia is home to the World's Largest Charcoal Grill and the World Championship ...

, to Harold and Dorothy Runnels, he grew up in

Lovington, New Mexico Lovington is a city in and the county seat of Lea County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 11,009 at the 2010 census, up from 9,471 in 2000. Geography Lovington is located slightly north of the center of Lea County. According to ...

, and graduated from Lovington High School. Runnels received his bachelor's degree

Colorado College Colorado College is a private college, private liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 1874 by Thomas Nelson Haskell in his daughter's memory, the college offers over 40 majors a ...

and a

Juris Doctor A Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or Doctor of Law (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree that primarily prepares individuals to practice law. In the United States and the Philippines, it is the only qualifying law degree. Other j ...

from the

University of Texas School of Law The University of Texas School of Law (Texas Law) is the Law school in the United States, law school of the University of Texas at Austin, a public university, public research university in Austin, Texas. According to Texas Law’s American Bar ...

Career

Runnels served on the Santa Fe City Council from 1976 to 1980 and then as district attorney from 1993 to 2000. He ran unsuccessfully in 1986 and 2000 for his father's congressional seat. From 1983 to 1987, Runnels served as

lieutenant governor of New Mexico The lieutenant governor of New Mexico () is an elected constitutional officer in the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of New Mexico, ranking just below the governor. Thirty individuals have held the office of lieutenant governor ...

as a

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (Cyprus) (DCY) **Democratic Part ...

Personal life

Runnels died at his home in

Ruidoso, New Mexico Ruidoso (Spanish for "noisy") is a village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, adjacent to the Lincoln National Forest. The population was 7,679 at the 2020 census. The city of Ruidoso Downs and the unincorporated area of Alto ar ...

References

1945 births 2015 deaths People from Magnolia, Arkansas People from Lea County, New Mexico Colorado College alumni University of Texas School of Law alumni New Mexico Democrats New Mexico lawyers New Mexico city council members Lieutenant governors of New Mexico Politicians from Santa Fe, New Mexico People from Ruidoso, New Mexico 20th-century American lawyers {{NewMexico-politician-stub