Jim Darling (born January 14, 1949) is an American politician who served as the 20th mayor of McAllen, Texas from 2013 to 2021. He won re-election in May 2017.[2]
Jim Darling | |
---|---|
20th Mayor of McAllen | |
In office January 6, 2013 – June 14, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Richard Cortez |
Succeeded by | Javier Villalobos |
Personal details | |
Born | Jim Darling January 14, 1949 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | McAllen, Texas, U.S |
Alma mater | Baylor University (BA) Baylor Law School (JD)[1] |
Darling received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University and a J.D. from Baylor Law School and is a licensed litigator by the Texas Supreme Court and the Southern District of Texas Federal Court.
Darling spent 28 years as a city attorney with the city of McAllen and other governmental entities and served as City Commissioner for District 6 prior to being elected Mayor of McAllen.[3]
In an interview with NPR after Donald Trump visited McAllen in January 2019, Darling said “The other thing that he said that we thought was important - it's not just a wall. It's border protection. It's more boots on the ground, more Border Patrol men, more technology, roads that they need, etc.“[4]
While he believes the United States needs border protection, he feels “a wall doesn't make sense, especially when the Rio Grande acts as a natural border and where private property makes building a wall more complicated.”[5]