HARLINGEN, RGV – Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell has announced he is running for re-election.
The election for mayor takes place in May.
“I love my City and I truly enjoy serving the citizens of Harlingen. I’m asking for their vote so we can continue the growth,” Boswell said.
Boswell, an attorney and 30-year resident of Harlingen, was first elected mayor in May 2007. He was re-elected mayor in 2010 and 2013. He served as a Harlingen city commissioner from 1998-2007 and was mayor pro-tem in 1999-2000 and 2004-2005.
In a news release, Boswell said the trajectory of Harlingen has been going upwards for the past five years. He cited the creation of close to 3,500 new jobs, a reduction in the city’s unemployment rate from 11 percent to 5.5 percent; an expansion of the retail and restaurant sector by over 500,000 square feet, including the opening of establishments such as Bass Pro Shops and Sam’s, and nearly $200 million in new capital investment.
Boswell said manufacturing has been front and center during his time as mayor. He pointed out that he worked on securing a new five-year lease agreement with United Launch Alliance to continue to build components of the Atlas V Rocket in Harlingen.
“We’ve really reached a point where we’re going to continue see positive growth, new retail and more commercial expansion,” Boswell said. “Making sure the RAHC campus is a key component of UT-Rio Grande Valley, public safety, increased manufacturing jobs, more retail and continued attention to Downtown and beautification of the City are all the ingredients to continued momentum for growth and prosperity.”
Boswell said his record on public safety shows a five-year downward trend in the crime rate, with violent crime and property crimes down by 50 percent.
“Public safety has been a number one issue for me and I know how important that is to our community. I’ve also made it a priority to target run-down buildings and structures which have been havens for gang activity, drugs and graffiti,” Boswell said.
Biographical details on Boswell: He was born and raised in San Benito, Texas. After graduating from San Benito High School, he obtained his Finance degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from Southern Methodist University. He is partner in Curtis and Boswell, L.L.P. in Harlingen and is board certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a past president of the Cameron County Bar Association, past president of the Rio Grande Council Boy Scouts of America, past president of the Lower Rio Grande Development Council and past chairman of the Harlingen Industrial Foundation. He is married to Anita Boswell and they have three children Megan, Thomas and Carrie.
Other community posts held by Boswell: He is a past president of the Harlingen San Benito Metropolitan Planning Organization; captain of Northern Cameron County United Way Captain in 1984, 1995, and 1996; a member of the Northern Cameron County United Way Budget and Admissions Committee from 1985 to 1988, chairman of the Northern Cameron County United Way Budget and Admissions Committee from 1989 to 1991; director of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce from 1988 to 1992 and its vice chairman from 1990 to 1992; director of the Harlingen Industrial Foundation, Inc., from 1992 to 1995 and its chairman from 1995 to 1997; and board member of the Valley Zoological Society Board (Gladys Porter Zoo) from 1991 to 1999.
