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California’s biggest election loser is Dave Regan, union boss who blew $47M on two failed ballot props
Dave Regan, head of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, backed two California ballot measures that voters rejected, after a costly campaign that made him an unofficial symbol of the election’s biggest losses. Proposition 40, a proposed one-time tax on billionaires to help fund healthcare, was opposed by almost 56% of voters; Proposition 44, which would have required community health clinics to spend 90% of revenue on services, was rejected by 82%.
The union’s committees reported spending $37.3 million on the billionaire tax campaign and $11.1 million on Proposition 44, while opponents of the tax spent more than $330 million across committees, including over $100 million from Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Regan said he would seek another billionaire tax measure in 2028 if lawmakers did not act. His position is also under scrutiny as SEIU International considers misconduct charges; Regan denies the allegations, while an investigation corroborated some claims that he threatened union officials.
In short
- California voters rejected both measures backed by Dave Regan.
- Proposition 40 lost by nearly 56% to 44%.
- Regan says he may pursue another billionaire tax in 2028.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could argue that a one-time levy on billionaires was a fair way to raise substantial money for healthcare, and that putting the question to voters was justified if lawmakers failed to act. They could also see a 90% services-spending rule for clinics as a way to ensure public and donated funds directly benefit patients.
The case against
Opponents could argue that the tax proposal risked discouraging investment or shifting wealth elsewhere, while its scale and design may not have offered a reliable long-term answer to healthcare funding. They could also contend that a rigid 90% spending requirement would limit clinics’ ability to cover administration, maintain facilities and adapt services, and that voters’ decisive rejection of both measures counsels against repeating them without changes.
Explained simply
California voters can decide on proposed laws directly through statewide ballot measures, which are called propositions. Campaigns for these votes can attract large sums from unions, businesses and wealthy individuals, and the measures need more votes in favour than against to pass.
Dave Regan leads SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, a union representing healthcare workers. The two proposals he supported dealt with healthcare funding: one would have raised money through a one-time tax on billionaires, and the other would have set rules for how community health clinics spent their revenue.
The story matters because it links the influence of campaign spending to debates about healthcare funding and the role of unions in California politics. Regan’s leadership is also under scrutiny within the wider union; he denies misconduct allegations, while an investigation corroborated some claims that he threatened union officials.
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