Democratic candidate for governor Alex Sink released five years of tax returns that showed a solid income for the state's chief financial officer, but offered little information about her other assets. The returns also forced the hand of Sinks husband, who showed his financial cards, reporting some big poker winnings and losses.
Sink's total net worth as reported in a financial disclosure form earlier this year is $9.2 million, but her income has varied from year to year.
It has ranged from a low of $274,538 in 2009 to a high of $780,598 in 2007, much of it from investments. Some of her income is from her $111,456 salary as state chief financial officer, but much is from interest and dividends on investments. But most of Sinks assets remain hidden because they have been placed in a blind trust.
Sinks husband, 2002 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride, has had an income ranging from $161,092 in 2008 and more than $1 million in 2007, which stems from a land sale worth more than $900,000.
He's also a regular at the poker table, and brought in $10,885 at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in 2009. He listed losses of $11,000 in 2007 and $17,936 in 2008.
In general, Bill plays poker recreationally and reports his winnings and losings as required, said Sink spokeswoman Kyra Jennings.
Both Sink and her Republican opponent Rick Scott have agreed to release their tax returns, but Scott has yet to do so. In a financial disclosure form Scott filed with the state, he reported a net worth of $218 million, but it is possible that he is worth more because of millions tucked away in a trust in his wife's name.
Sink, in a statement accompanying the release of the returns, called on Scott to release his and his wife's returns immediately.
I have always held a strong commitment to sunshine and transparency, Sink said. It's important for Floridians to be able to compare the records, plans and backgrounds of their candidates, which is why I released my tax returns and my husband's tax returns for the last five years.
Both Sink and her husband have also given substantially to charity over the past few years. In 2009, she gave $39,653 to charities, including $7,000 to Haiti relief efforts and $25,000 to a community foundation. McBride's 2009 contributions totaled $31,645 and included donations to the United Way, University of Florida Gator Boosters and the Presbyterian Church of Seffner.
