Mike Runnels

{{Short description|American politician from New Mexico}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{infobox officeholder |name = Mike Runnels |office = 24th [[Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico]] |order = |term_start = January 1, 1983 |governor = [[Toney Anaya]] |term_end = January 1, 1987 |predecessor = [[Roberto Mondragón]] |successor =[[Jack L. Stahl]] |party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |birth_date={{birth date|1945|9|11}} |birth_place=[[Magnolia, Arkansas]], U.S. |death_date={{death date and age|2015|2|5|1945|9|11}} |death_place=[[Ruidoso, New Mexico]], U.S. |education = [[Colorado College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of Texas at Austin]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]]) |relations = [[Harold L. Runnels]] (father) }} '''Michael L. Runnels''' (September 11, 1945 – February 5, 2015) was an American politician and lawyer.

== Early life and education == Born in [[Magnolia, Arkansas]], to [[Harold Runnels|Harold]] and Dorothy Runnels, he grew up in [[Lovington, New Mexico]], and graduated from Lovington High School. Runnels received his bachelor's degree [[Colorado College]] and a [[Juris Doctor]] from the [[University of Texas School of Law]].

== 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 the 24th [[lieutenant governor of New Mexico]] as a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Terrell |first=Steve |title=Former Lt. Gov. Runnels remembered for dedication, charisma |url=https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/former-lt-gov-runnels-remembered-for-dedication-charisma/article_97315dc6-ab8c-5e1b-bbd3-615db8aabca3.html |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Santa Fe New Mexican |date=5 February 2015 |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life == Runnels died at his home in [[Ruidoso, New Mexico]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Deborah|title=Former Lt. Gov. Mike Runnels dies|url=http://www.abqjournal.com/537498/news/former-lt-gov-mike-runnels-dies.html|accessdate=8 February 2015|work=Albuquerque Journal|date=6 February 2015}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{succession box | before = [[Roberto Mondragón]] | title = [[Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico]] | years=1983-1987| after= [[Jack L. Stahl]] }} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Runnels, Mike}} [[Category:1945 births]] [[Category:2015 deaths]] [[Category:People from Magnolia, Arkansas]] [[Category:People from Lea County, New Mexico]] [[Category:Colorado College alumni]] [[Category:University of Texas School of Law alumni]] [[Category:New Mexico Democrats]] [[Category:New Mexico lawyers]] [[Category:New Mexico city council members]] [[Category:Lieutenant governors of New Mexico]] [[Category:Politicians from Santa Fe, New Mexico]] [[Category:People from Ruidoso, New Mexico]] [[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]