Washington's Congressional Delegation is Collectively Worth At Least $10 Million

The Center for Responsive Politics recently released its list of the net worth of every member of Congress, which reveals that our lawmakers in the Other Washington are, collectively, good for at least $10 million. Sen. Maria Cantwell is the clear winner in terms of personal wealth, with assets worth $3.2 million to $7.5 million, according to the Washington, D.C. watchdog group.

The two-term Democrat made a bundle during her years in the mid-90s at RealNetworks, parlaying her fortunes into bankrolling her first campaign against Slade Gorton in 2000.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, is the second-wealthiest member of the state's delegation. Thanks to a couple of rental properties she and her husband own in D.C. and San Diego, she could be worth more than $2.2 million, or, because of mortgages and other liabilities she disclosed, Rodgers' worth could also be as low as $421,000.

Disclosure rules allow members of Congress to enumerate incomes and assets in a wide range of amounts, making it difficult to calculate a member's exact wealth. Congressional salaries, currently $174,000, do not count as assets.

Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, reports an average net worth of $962,000, followed by Sen. P:atty Murray with $916,000. She has assets worth between $513,000 and $1.3 million -- most of that attributable to her husband, Rob, who works at SSA Marine, a port cargo-handling firm.

Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, checks in at $768,000, while Norm Dicks, D-Bremerton, reports an average net worth of $768,000.

According to Rep. Dave Reichert's personal-disclosure statement, the Auburn Republican's net worth ranged from $178,000 to $645,000.

The bottom third, as far as congressional wealth, belongs to Reps. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, Rick Larson, D-Lake Stevens, and Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island. A candidate for governor, Inslee reported assets worth as small as $106,000 and no more than $541,000.

Bringing up the rear is Jamie Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, The freshman lawmaker listed total assets of no more than $15,000.