In a decisive outcome this Saturday, the Rufino Electric Cooperative’s district elections saw overwhelming support for the green slate led by Facundo Tapia, general secretary of the Rufino Light and Power Union. Members turned out in strong numbers to choose the 47 delegates who will ratify the cooperative’s Annual Report and Balance Sheet at the upcoming General Assembly and fill three seats on the Board of Directors.
Election Overview
Two competing slates: Tapia’s official “Green Slate” and the opposition “Red Slate”, vied for member votes across five electoral districts. Despite vocal backing from Mayor Abel Natalio Lattanzi and the Cambiemos party for the Red Slate, the Green team secured a commanding lead:
- Registered Voters: 1,096 cooperative members
- Total Ballots Cast: 1,628
- Green Slate: 65.4% of actual votes, winning 47 delegate positions
- Red Slate: 34.6% of actual votes
Tapia’s coalition outperformed the opposition in every district, underscoring broad confidence in the current board’s stewardship and the union leadership’s agenda.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Mandate: With nearly two-thirds of cast ballots, the Green Slate enters the General Assembly with a clear mandate to guide policy and financial oversight.
- Member Engagement: High turnout reflected strong member interest in the cooperative’s governance—proof that local stakeholders are deeply invested in electricity policy, rates, and infrastructure investment.
- Political Crosscurrents: Despite the mayor’s active campaigning for the Red Slate, cooperative members demonstrated independence, prioritizing co-op performance over party politics.
What’s Next for the Cooperative
The 47 elected delegates will convene in late November or early December for the General Assembly. Their responsibilities will include:
- Approving Financial Statements: Reviewing and ratifying the past year’s budget, expenditures, and financial health.
- Electing Board Members: Filling three open seats on the Board of Directors to steer strategic decisions on upgrades, rate adjustments, and member services.
- Setting Priorities: Debating infrastructure projects such as grid modernization, renewable energy integration, and service reliability improvements.
Facundo Tapia emphasized unity and forward momentum: “This result reflects our members’ trust in transparent management and our commitment to affordable, reliable electricity. We will work tirelessly to deliver on our promises.”
Community Impact
As a member-owned utility, the Rufino Electric Cooperative serves over 4,000 households and businesses in the region. Its decisions directly affect local rates, outage response times, and long-term investment in sustainable energy solutions. The newly elected delegates are expected to champion:
The Green Slate’s comprehensive victory marks a turning point for the Rufino Electric Cooperative, signaling continuity in governance and a strong mandate for Tapia’s leadership team. With delegates now in place, the cooperative is poised to tackle its next chapter: strengthening its financial health, enhancing service reliability, and charting a sustainable energy future for all members.