McALLEN — Mayoral challenger Othal E. Brand Jr. has spent nearly double the amount of current Mayor Jim Darling’s campaign over the past three months as the May 6 election looms.
McALLEN — Mayoral challenger Othal E. Brand Jr. has spent nearly double the amount of current Mayor Jim Darling’s campaign over the past three months as the May 6 election looms.
Brand spent $107,149, while Darling has spent $55,568, according to the latest campaign finance reports filed with the city. Brand has loaned himself $74,000 for the campaign. Darling did not report any loans.
Brand, son of the late longtime Mayor Othal Brand, has said from the day he announced his candidacy in November 2016 that he would spend whatever he needed to win. Brand is currently Hidalgo County Water Improvement District 3 general manager and president of the District’s board.
Darling has spent $55,000, with $46,000 left to spend, the report said. Brand reported no remaining money.
While Brand and Darling have said money is important to running for mayor, they both acknowledged it’s more than that. Brand has been walking the streets of McAllen for months, hitting well over 10,000 homes and meeting with many prominent people in town. Darling, who said he does not enjoy the messiness of campaigning, has done block walking and is attending many events while fulfilling his duties as mayor.
The other contested city commission race is between District 2 incumbent Commissioner Trey Pebley and challenger Joaquin “J.J.” Zamora. Pebley reported having spent $17,283 over the past three months while Zamora reported spending $7,831.
Pebley has received nearly $21,000 in donations. Zamora has received $9,000.
