### Rigo Mares Steps Up as New Leader of PAN, Aims for Greater Representation
In a recent internal democratic process, the National Action Party (PAN) elected Rigoberto Mares Aguilar as the new state leader in Baja California Sur. With participation below 50%, only 1,120 party members cast their votes, choosing between Mares Aguilar and Jesús Méndez. Mares emerged victorious with 707 votes against Méndez’s 413, a result endorsed by the State Electoral Committee (CEPE) of the PAN.
Having previously led the party from 2015 to 2018, Mares Aguilar is familiar with the political landscape, despite falling short by fewer than 10,000 votes to Milena Quiroga in the most recent municipal battle for the La Paz mayorship.
Mares remarked on the need for PAN to be a strong, open opposition, committed to preparing for a viable electoral alternative for the 2027 elections. He emphasized the importance of strategic efforts to reclaim more seats in the local Congress and influence local governments. Furthermore, Mares stressed the necessity of strengthening inner-party dialogue and engagement with citizens.
“Mares is concerned with internal consistency and transparency as paramount goals for his leadership. He pointed out issues such as corruption and failures in security and violence prevention efforts as areas needing urgent attention,” said Mares.
In contrast, Jesús Méndez, a veteran legal representative of PAN, stated he would not challenge the election results. However, he criticized the current state of PAN, attributing low participation to internal dissatisfaction and claiming the party is in a crisis due to neglect from its leaders.
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### Secondary Article: Low Turnout and Dissatisfaction Highlights Challenges For PAN
In a comparative assessment of recent internal elections, the National Action Party’s (PAN) latest voting turnout in Baja California Sur marked a significant drop compared to previous years. While the 2021 elections saw a 65% turnout when Guadalupe Saldaña Cisneros was elected, and 62.7% in 2018 for Carlos Rochín Álvarez, only 45% of eligible voters participated this time.
This lagging engagement highlights ongoing discontent within the party base, with some members speaking out about the lack of proper communication and promotion ahead of the election. Critics fear that internal divisions and perceived negligence from party leaders could hamper PAN’s effectiveness as a viable political force in the region.
As a part of his campaign, Rigoberto Mares emphasized the need for the PAN to reconnect with its roots and serve as a visible presence among the community, promising efforts to address concerns about governance and public services under the current administration.
The future leadership under Mares will likely focus on restoration and restructuring within the party, with hopes of positioning PAN as a stronger contender in the upcoming 2027 elections, where major seats are up for grabs, including the governor’s office and multiple local councils.