Ned Wigglesworth spent years fighting against big money in politics. He once warned that California's richest residents poured millions into elections because they had something to gain. He even decried what he called the "billionaire boys' club of politics."
Today, Wigglesworth works for the other side. He is now a key strategist behind Building a Better California, the political organization opposing Proposition 40 — the November ballot measure that would impose a one-time 5% tax on Californians worth at least $1 billion.
From Campaign Finance Reformer to Billionaire Strategist
Wigglesworth's career path shows a sharp turn. As a campaign finance reformer decades ago, he criticized wealthy donors who used their money to influence politics. Now he leads the effort to protect those same wealthy individuals from a new tax on their fortunes.
According to The San Francisco Standard, Wigglesworth is described as "the billionaire whisperer leading tech's anti-tax army." The publication notes that deep-pocketed donors to Building a Better California are privately griping about the group, which has amassed $150 million.
Silicon Valley Money Flows Into Anti-Tax Campaign
The opposition campaign has attracted major financial backing from some of the biggest names in technology. Google cofounder Sergey Brin alone contributed over $100 million to the group. Venture capitalist John Doerr and crypto billionaire Chris Larsen have also put money into committees fighting the tax.
The scale of funding shows how much is at stake for California's wealthiest residents. A 5% tax on billionaires would represent a significant one-time hit to their fortunes.
"Once a campaign finance reformer who railed against big money in politics, Ned Wigglesworth is now wielding it in the year's most contentious campaign." — The San Francisco Standard
What Proposition 40 Would Do
Proposition 40 targets only the wealthiest Californians. The measure would apply to individuals with a net worth of at least $1 billion. Those affected would pay a one-time 5% tax on their total wealth.
Supporters argue the tax would generate significant revenue for public services. Opponents, including the billionaires funding Building a Better California, argue it would drive wealthy residents and businesses out of the state.
Our Take: A Stark Reminder of Money's Role in Politics
Wigglesworth's transformation from reformer to billionaire advocate is uncomfortable to watch. It raises a simple question: if someone who spent years criticizing wealthy political influence can be brought into the fold, what does that say about the power of money in our political system?
To put it plainly, this story is not really about one consultant changing his mind. It is about how the system works. The same person who once warned that billionaires gave money because they had something to gain now helps them protect their fortunes. The "something to gain" has not changed — only the person on the other side of the fight has.
Voters in California will decide on Proposition 40 in November. They should consider who is funding each side and why. The billions being spent to defeat this measure tell their own story about what the wealthy stand to lose — and what they believe their money can buy.
