House members report broad range of assets

Rep. Zach Wamp, a Chattanooga Republican, reported the shortest list of assets — just one account worth $15,000 or less. By contrast, Rep. John Tanner, a Democrat from Union City, had properties, stocks and investments worth between $2.1 million and $7.5 million.

The annual financial disclosure forms show lawmakers’ income, investments, real estate holdings, loans, gifts, and travel financed by outside groups. The assets are reported in broad ranges. In 2004, Tennessee’s House members were all paid $158,100.

Senate disclosures released Tuesday showed Tennessee’s Republican Sens. Bill Frist and Lamar Alexander both had at least several million dollars in various assets.

Rep. Harold Ford Jr., a Democrat from Memphis, listed the most travel last year. He took nine trips financed by outside groups, but five were to Tennessee cities — four to Nashville and one to Knoxville. Ford last month announced he will run for the Senate seat that Frist has said he will leave in 2006.

Rep. Bill Jenkins, a Republican from Rogersville, listed farm assets, including cattle, machinery and farm land in his hometown, all of which he owned jointly with his wife. She owned two additional properties on her own, worth $350,000 to $750,000 together.

Rep. John J. Duncan Jr., a Knoxville Republican, showed he is looking toward the future, reporting four retirement accounts worth between $131,000 and $365,000 together, and a Tennessee pension fund worth between $1,001 and $15,000.

Rep. Jim Cooper, a Nashville Democrat, asked for an extension for his filing. His spokeswoman, Murfy Alexander, said he expected to release the paperwork this week.

None of the eight lawmakers reporting listed liabilities worth more than $10,000, such as credit card debt or a mortgage.