Othal E. Brand Jr announces McAllen mayoral run
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- Written by Jose De Leon III
The son of a former city of McAllen mayor announced he will attempt to follow in his father’s footsteps and campaign for the position during the upcoming May 2017 election.
Othal E. Brand Jr. announced his candidacy Nov. 23 during a 10 minute press conference at his office in North McAllen. His father, Othal E. Brand Sr., served as McAllen’s mayor for 20 years starting in 1977. He died of congestive heart failure in 2009 at the age of 90.
“Our family has invested so much into the city, just as much as the city has blessed us for being here,” Brand said at the news conference. “They say there’s honor in a good name. I believe my father left me and McAllen a good one and I hope to do the same.”
Brand is the board president and general manager of Hidalgo County Water Improvement District 3. He is the first person to announce his candidacy for McAllen’s mayor.
Before becoming mayor of McAllen, the senior Brand turned his company, Griffin & Brand, into one of the world’s largest producers of onions and vegetables and one of the largest fruit and vegetable growers in the state, according to the produce industry news website, “The Packer.”
