Michael L. Runnels (September 11, 1945 – February 5, 2015) was an American politician and lawyer.
Born in Magnolia, Arkansas, to 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.
Runnels served on the Santa Fe City Council from 1976 to 1980 and then as district attorney from 1993 to 2000.
From 1983 to 1987, Runnels served as lieutenant governor of New Mexico as a Democrat.