Bobbie Regan, Ousted PPS Board Member, Loaned Herself $45,000 In Her Re-Election Bid

Updated election spending reports show Bobbie Regan, who narrowly lost her seat on the Portland Public Schools board of education Tuesday, sank $45,810 of her own money into her losing race.

The loan brought Regan's fundraising total to $178,337.

By comparison, winner Amy Kohnstamm raised about $120,000. She beat Regan, who'd served three terms on the board, by 44 percent to 41 percent. Two other candidates split the remaining votes.

It's not unusual for school board candidates to tap relatives or their own checkbooks for campaign contributions. Kohnstamm launched her bid with a $2,500 self loan. (She later paid it back.)

But it's highly unusual for a school board candidate to throw down $45,000.

For comparison, Regan loaned herself $2,000 in her 2007 re-election campaign.

Regan hasn't yet responded to call from WW this morning about the loan.