When it comes to members of Congress, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Orlando, Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, and eight others from Floridamay be viewed as being above average.
And Buchanan skews themidrange benchmark.
Nelson andBuchanan are among the nearly 50 percent of Congress who are millionaires, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Responsive Politics.
The center estimated the median net worth for a senator at $2.56 million, while members of the House had a median worth of $756,765, based upon lawmakers' 2010 personal financial disclosure forms.
The Senate mark is up 7.6 percent from 2009 and 13 percent from 2008.
The House total is down 1 percent from 2009, but 17 percent higher than in 2008.
"The vast majority of members of Congress are quite comfortable, financially, while many of their own constituents suffer from economic hardships," stated Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, in a release posted on OpenSecrets.com.
Better than one-in-three of Floridas congressional delegation had an average net worth of more than $1 million in 2010. For a breakdown of the delegation individually, see here.
Self-made businessmanBuchanan, with assets from a minor Southwest Florida auto empire, easily tops the list of net worth among Floridas congressional delegation, standing eighth in the nation at $136 million.
Meanwhile, Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, who has long struggled with legal fees, maintains his hold at the bottom of the list with a negative net worth of $4.7 million.
Nelson is worth an average of $3.8 million, but could be as high as $6.1 million, or as low as $1.5 million.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, had an average of $379,505, but may owe $75,987 or be worth up to $835,998.
The numbers get tricky as lawmakers are given plenty of leeway in disclosing their assets and liabilities.
Instead of having to give an estimated value on something such as a home or business, they are given ranges that span $100,000 from top to bottom.
The congressional pay, $174,000 a year, is also not included in their filing.
Nationally, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., tops the list with an average net worth of $448 million. Due to the ranges given, his top worth could exceed $700 million. Issa made his fortune through car-alarm maker Steal Stopper.
Other notable congressional members in the nine-digit club include: Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., $231,722,794; Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.; and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., $101,123,032.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com, (850) 727-0859, or (772) 215-9889.
