Early voting in record numbers

HARLINGEN — Voters came out in some of the highest numbers in years for the first day of early voting in city and school elections.

Outside City Hall yesterday, candidates’ supporters waved signs, barking into loud speakers to rally voters.

By the time the polls closed at 5 p.m., 238 voters had cast ballots in the city election while 234 had voted in the school election, City Secretary Amanda Elizondo said.

“I think this is the highest turnout I’ve gotten in one day,” said Elizondo, who has served as city secretary since June 2011. “They were coming in gradually at times or in fours or fives.”

Job creation and economic development were among the issues that brought voters to the polls in the city election in which Mayor Chris Boswell faces three challengers.

Rosalinda Mercado-Garza faces Eladio Jaimez in the race for Harlingen school board, where the big issues include improving education for children and upgrading schools and athletic facilities.

Many voters appeared interested in the race in which Boswell faces former City Commissioner Jerry Prepejchal, retired police Lt. Joe Rubio and businessman Kenneth Benton.

In the race for the District 2 City Commission seat, incumbent Tudor Uhlhorn faces former City Commissioner Frank Puente.

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