McALLEN, Texas — Former McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, a fixture in South Texas civic life and public governance for nearly nearly five decades, is stepping down from his extensive regional board commitments as he prepares to relocate to San Antonio.
Darling participated in his final board of directors meeting for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC) on Sept. 30. To honor his decades of leadership, current LRGVDC President Aurelio Guerra invited Darling to preside as chair over the session.
Speaking after the meeting, Darling confirmed that he and his wife, Sandra, are preparing to move to San Antonio by the end of October.
“It’s something my wife’s wanting to do,” Darling said. “I’ve been with the city so long, and I was hoping to go 50 years, but almost made it 50. It’s time to go.”
Darling’s public service in the Rio Grande Valley began in late 1977 after he completed his law degree at Baylor Law School in Waco, Texas. Originally a native of Rochester, New York, Darling moved south after his military service.
He accepted the role of McAllen City Attorney in December 1977 and officially began serving in January 1978. During his tenure, he spent 28 years as city attorney for McAllen and various municipal entities, notably serving for two decades as city attorney alongside legendary Mayor Othal Brand. Darling also served as the inaugural legal counsel for South Texas College (STC) during its foundational years.
He later served as McAllen City Commissioner for District 6 before being elected the city’s 20th mayor in 2013, a post he held until 2021 following his re-election in 2017.
At the peak of his public involvement, Darling served on as many as 18 to 20 boards and commissions simultaneously. Prior to announcing his move, he actively maintained seats on 13 regional boards spanning water utility management, economic development, higher education, and regional planning.
Because several civic and regional entities mandate local residency, Darling is working through a transition plan this month to step off certain councils while evaluating where he can continue contributing.
“I’m seeing what I can and can’t do,” Darling explained. “Some have residency requirements, so I have to get off. I’m going to take this time to look, and I’ve been meeting with some of the boards.”
Certain organizations without strict residency bylaws have requested that he remain involved. Among them is the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) and its affiliate entities, including the Rio-South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation (RSTEF), where Darling was asked to continue aiding regional redevelopment initiatives.
He also expects to complete his service with the Rio Grande Valley Regional Water Authority and maintain informal advisory ties where permitted, including with regional university leaders.
Reflecting on his close to 50 years of public work across McAllen and the broader Rio Grande Valley, Darling noted the remarkable economic transformation he witnessed firsthand.
“It’s been a lot of fun to see the growth and everything,” Darling said. “A lot of work, but I’ve really enjoyed it.”
