Boozman still tops Arkansas delegation in assets

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - U.S. Sen. John Boozman remains the most prosperous member of Arkansas' congressional delegation and owns up to $5 million in undeveloped subdivision lots, financial reports for the state's federal lawmakers released Thursday show.

The reports show the freshman Republican had the highest valued assets among Arkansas' two senators and four congressmen. Boozman reported having between $1.7 million and $6.5 million in assets.

The bulk of the assets are 30 undeveloped subdivision lots in Rogers owned by a development firm where Boozman is a partner. Boozman reported the lots as valued up to $5 million. Boozman also reported owning a third of his late mother's house in Rogers, which he valued at up to $50,000. The rest of his assets were in various accounts and investments.

Boozman reported between $800,003 and $1.6 million in liabilities, the bulk of which was a mortgage on the undeveloped lots. He also reported two mortgages on his home in Rogers.

U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, a Democrat, was the poorest member of the state's delegation, reporting that he and his family had between $16,001 and $65,000 in two bank accounts. Pryor reported two mortgages valued up to $550,000 as his liabilities.

The reports only give a range of values for assets and debts for the lawmakers, their spouses and dependents. They do not include the value of homes unless they are rental properties. Candidates for Congress are also required to file the disclosure reports, though the House Clerk doesn't make them available online.

Rep. Rick Crawford, who represents east Arkansas' 1st Congressional District, reported that he received $7,525 last year through the sale of Farmhouse Media LLC to Halsey Outdoor Advertising. Crawford said in the report that he'll receive $2,508 a month for 10 years from the sale, for a total of $301,208.

Crawford reported between $330,005 and $850,000 in liabilities on behalf of Farmhouse Media.

Scott Ellington, who won the Democratic nomination to challenge Crawford, reported $119,552 as local prosecutor last year and reported between $10,001 and $15,000 on a revolving charge account with Washington Mutual Bank. Ellington said his wife, Tanya, owed between $15,001 and $50,000 to US Bank. Tanya Ellington is being sued by Ozark Capital Corp., which is seeking more than $26,000 in unpaid debt and nearly $3,000 in interest on a US Bank credit card.

Rep. Tim Griffin, who represents the 2nd District in central Arkansas, reported assets valued between $7,007 and $105,000. Griffin, a Republican reported between $545,000 and $1.1 million in liabilities, including a loan that has since been paid and up to $50,000 in student loans. The bulk of the liabilities were two mortgages, each valued at between $250,001 and $500,000.

Herb Rule, the Democrat challenging Griffin, reported $572,080 in assets, including $355,622 in various stocks. Rule said he earned $207,819 last year from the Rose Law Firm in Little Rock. Rule reported a mortgage between $250,001 and $500,000 as his only liability.

Rep. Steve Womack, a Republican representing the 3rd District in northwest Arkansas, reported between $134,007 and $410,000 in assets. The bulk of the assets was in a Rogers rental property valued at between $100,001 and $250,000. Womack reported a mortgage of between $100,001 and $250,000 on his Rogers home.

A spokesman for Ken Aden, Womack's Democratic challenger, said he did not have a copy of Aden's financial report immediately available.

Rep. Mike Ross, a Democrat who is not seeking re-election as the congressman for south Arkansas' 4th District, reported between $129,010 and $410,000 in assets. They include a commercial building in Prescott valued between $15,001 and $50,000 that he and his wife lease to Super D Drugs Acquisition Co.

Tom Cotton, the Republican nominee to succeed Ross, reported between $165,003 and $400,000 in assets. Cotton reported that he earned $84,998 from McKinsey & Company, the business consulting firm where he worked before launching his congressional bid last year. Cotton said he also received $4,000 in honoraria from Harvard University and the Hudson Institute last year.

State Sen. Gene Jeffress, who won the Democratic nomination this week for the 4th District, did not immediately return a call Thursday afternoon. Jeffress makes $15,869 as a state legislator, but he also received more than $50,000 in expenses, per diem and mileage payments last year.

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