How Rich Are Politicians? Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton And The 10 Wealthiest People Running For Re-Election In 2016

Republican Donald Trump has argued he’s the best candidate for president because he knows how the nation’s tax laws work and, therefore, can fix them.

The tax code gives the nation’s wealthy many more ways to shelter their earnings than the average American, who made a median $51,939 in 2013 and had a net worth ranging from $4,151 to $48,921, depending on age and excluding home equity.

But can wealthy politicians really feel the common man’s pain? And will they do anything about it?

Trump has claimed a $10 billion fortune though others have estimated his worth at $4 billion. His net worth, however, remains a mystery because he has refused to release his tax returns, breaking a 40-year tradition among presidential candidates.

Whether it’s $10 billion or $4 billion or less, that still makes Democratic rival Hillary Clinton a relative piker with just $15.3 million. And many members of Congress eclipse her wealth, hands down.

Here is a list of the 10 wealthiest members of Congress up for re-election, according to Yahoo Finance and Money & Career Cheatsheet:

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., $464 million: Issa built his fortune through his car alarm company, Directed Electronics, founded in the mid-1990s.

Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., $197.9 million: Polis headed information technology company American Information Systems while he was still a student at Princeton University in New Jersey.

Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., $154.6 million: Delaney founded two lending companies that both went public on the New York Stock Exchange.

Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, $143.2 million: McCaul married money. His wife is the daughter of the founder of Clear Channel Communications.

Rep. Dave Trott, R-Mich., $114 million: Trott is the head of a real estate finance law firm.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., $104 million: Blumenthal married money. His wife’s family is involved in New York real estate, including an interest in the Empire State Building.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., $100 million: Pelosi and her husband own several properties in the San Francisco area, including a Napa vineyard.

Rep. Vernon Buchanan, R-Fla., $89 million: Buchanan owns a string of auto dealerships.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., $74.3 million: DelBene founded drugstore.com and was an executive at Microsoft.

Rep. Scott H. Peters, D-Calif., $72.9 million: Peters is an environmental lawyer and his wife is CEO of an investment company.