A new PAC identity unveiled by NRECA
Courtesy: Jim Matheson, NRECA chief executive officer
Fifty-six years ago, NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association) established the Action Committee for Rural Electrification® (ACRE®) to support political candidates who recognize the vital role of electric cooperatives in their local communities. And for almost six decades, ACRE has done just that.
Today, nearly 35,000 donors contribute to this political action committee (PAC), and it continues to support political candidates who support issues important to electric co-ops.
However, to stay relevant in today’s political environment, it’s important that candidates who receive these PAC contributions understand the connection between the PAC and the electric cooperative network.
With that in mind, NRECA recently engaged a firm to conduct research to see whether electric co-ops were getting full recognition for their collective efforts. In that research and in discussions with individuals associated with federal politics and PAC donors, they found that many of today’s political candidates don’t connect ACRE with electric co-ops.
As a result, NRECA is unveiling a new name for their PAC: America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC.
This rebranding will enable them to directly connect the activities of the PAC under the well-known and highly respected identity of electric co-ops.
It’s a logical step in their efforts to align NRECA’s advocacy resources, including the Voices for Cooperative Power grassroots network, under a common and recognizable brand that enhances their reputation. This cohesive strategy featuring the collective strength of electric co-ops is purposefully designed to elevate the impact in Washington. And they continue to see evidence this approach is working well.
The PAC allows NRECA to financially support candidates through personal dollars raised from co-op leaders and consumer-members. They want to ensure that candidates who become policymakers will connect this PAC with electric co-ops.
NRECA shared this exciting news with leaders at their member co-ops, and the feedback they’ve received from them has been overwhelmingly positive. They began to manage America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC under that name after a broader unveiling in March at NRECA PowerXchange.
The PAC is just one tool in their advocacy toolbox. They also have a robust Voices for Cooperative Power grassroots advocacy program with thousands of electric co-op employee and consumer-member participants, and a grasstops influencer program that can tap into thousands of cooperative CEOs and directors. Those are complimented by skilled legislative and regulatory advocacy teams at NRECA.
Through these efforts, candidates and elected officials trust us at a time when trust is a scarce commodity in Washington. They know electric co-ops are invested and engaged in the communities they serve. And with this rebranding of collective advocacy, our reputation in Washington will be enhanced for years to come.
(Editor’s note: Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric presently has 367 members and employees participating in the NRECA’s PAC.) #swceCOOPERATION
After 56 years, the NRECA has decided to rebrand their political action committee from ACRE to America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC.
Appreciation
#swceAPPRECIATION
