HARLINGEN — Mayor Chris Boswell will seek another term for the top elected post in the city.
Boswell, who is a 30-year resident of Harlingen born and raised in the Valley, has served as mayor since 2007. Prior to that, he served on numerous boards and committees and served three terms on the Harlingen City Commission.
The attorney is proud of the recent accomplishments of the city, which he cited as the creation of nearly 3,500 new jobs, the reduction in the city’s unemployment rate from 11 percent to 5.5 percent and the expansion of the retail and restaurant sector.
He cites the establishment of facilities such as Bass Pro Shops and Sam’s and nearly $200 million in new capital investment of businesses and expansion.
Public safety also has been a key component to what Boswell calls successes.
Boswell said his record on public safety shows a 5-year trend in the crime rate dropping violent and property crimes by half.
“Public safety has been a number one issue for me and I know how important that is to our community,” he said. “I’ve also made it a priority to target run-down buildings and structures which have been havens for gang activity, drugs and graffiti.”
Manufacturing has also been front and center according to Boswell.
He worked to secure a new 5-year lease agreement with United Launch Alliance to continue to build components of the Atlas V Rocket here in Harlingen. Boswell sees more on the horizon.
“We’ve really reached a point where we’re going to continue to see positive growth, new retail and more commercial expansion,” he said.
He has some priorities if re-elected to another term.
“Making sure the RAHC campus is a key component of UT-RGV, public safety, increased manufacturing jobs, more retail and continued attention downtown and beautification of the city are all the ingredients to continued momentum for growth and prosperity,” he said. “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.”
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.
Boswell is married to Anita Boswell and they have three children Megan, Thomas and Carrie.
