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HARLINGEN — For 24 years, Mayor Chris Boswell has worked to help transform the city.
On Wednesday, he leaves office as Harlingen’s longest-serving mayor after May 7’s stunning loss to attorney Norma Sepulveda, who drew 60% of the vote amid one of the city’s strongest turnouts.
During his tenure, Boswell helped lay the foundation for the new Harlingen, known for its growing medical complex, which has opened hundreds of higher paying jobs.
“I’m very proud of the city’s accomplishments and progress during these last 15 years,” he said. “It was a team effort.”
During his administration, the city launched $20 million worth of drainage projects, with city money funding half the upgrades along with grants.
In 1998, Boswell first won election to the City Commission, where he was known as a leader and “consensus builder.”
After taking office, he worked with area leaders to develop the Regional Academic Health Center on Treasure Hills Boulevard.
In 2007, he won the city’s highest elected office.
Years of accomplishments
During his first years as mayor, the city opened its new police station and municipal courthouse complex while developing its sprawling soccer complex.
In 2011, the city lured Bass Pro Shops, anchoring the new Harlingen Heights business district, drawing Sam’s Club.
By 2013, the University of Texas was launching South Texas’ first medical school, opening part of its campus in Harlingen, also the site of the U.S. Veterans Affairs clinic.
Five years ago, Boswell was at the top of his political career as his administration planned “signature” projects like the city’s first convention center, the development of Lon C. Hill Park into the area’s first destination park and the renovation the historic McKinley Building, which capped downtown’s revitalization.
During his 15-year tenure, the city’s sales tax revenue soared from $18 million to more than $40 million.
Mounting opposition
But some residents criticized his administration’s decision against taking the convention center project to a vote.
By 2019, his administration’s call for the city’s first tax hike in 14 years erupted in opposition.
Around the same time, Boswell’s political opponents began toppling members of what he had described as his favorite commission.
In 2019, Commissioner Frank Puente narrowly defeated Commissioner Tudor Uhlhorn to win the District 2 seat before he and Commissioner Richard Uribe began questioning some of the administration’s actions.
Then in May 2021, Boswell’s opponents turned into the board’s majority after Commissioner Rene Perez edged out three-term Commissioner Victor Leal in District 5 while Commissioner Frank Morales won the District 4 seat after incumbent Ruben de la Rosa chose against running for a third term.
Since then, Boswell battled the commission’s new majority through a grueling year that rocked City Hall.
