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Some seek distance from Trump as they offer up their financial documents

House hopefuls releasing tax returns break with norms, capitalize on Trump's refusal to show his

By AHMED NAMATALLA, Associated Press
Published: May 26, 2018, 10:45pm
3 Photos
FILE - In this March 17, 2017 file photo, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Donald Trump’s unwillingness to release his tax returns is helping renew a debate on whether the practice should be expected of elected federal office holders ahead of this year’s midterms, and in April, 2018, in Washington state’s 5th District, McMorris Rodgers, the incumbent who is being challenged by Democrat Lisa Brown, released her returns for the first time since winning the House seat in 2004. (AP Photo/J.
FILE - In this March 17, 2017 file photo, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Donald Trump’s unwillingness to release his tax returns is helping renew a debate on whether the practice should be expected of elected federal office holders ahead of this year’s midterms, and in April, 2018, in Washington state’s 5th District, McMorris Rodgers, the incumbent who is being challenged by Democrat Lisa Brown, released her returns for the first time since winning the House seat in 2004. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file) Photo Gallery

SEATTLE — President Donald Trump’s unwillingness to release his tax returns is helping renew a debate on whether the practice should be expected of elected federal office holders ahead of this year’s midterms.

Although there’s no constitutional requirement for candidates or elected officials to make their returns public, Trump has broken with more than four decades of tradition set by previous presidents. In Congress, almost half of lawmakers have called on Trump to disclose the documents, but just 1 of every 10 have released their own, according to data compiled by Roll Call last year.

In an election year where the balance of power in the House hinges on two dozen so-called toss-up districts, some candidates are capitalizing on the issue to claim the high ground in transparency.

Most of those districts are held by Republicans trying to distance themselves from Trump, but the strategy may pressure more legislators from both parties and candidates vying for their seats to disclose tax documents, according to Lee Drutman, senior fellow at New America, a nonpartisan research house.

“For Democrats, it’s a way of indirectly invoking the Trump issue without having to directly campaign against Trump in competitive districts,” Drutman said. “It’s a fair concern for people. If you’re voting for a member of Congress, it’s reasonable to understand how they made their money and what the potential sources of influence and conflict of interest are.”

In Washington state’s 5th District, Republican incumbent Cathy McMorris Rodgers released her returns last month for the first time since winning the House seat in 2004. The move came in response to a request by the Spokesman-Review newspaper, prompting her Democratic opponent Lisa Brown to do the same. The district, which borders Idaho and where McMorris Rodgers has enjoyed easy victories, is one of 24 classified as toss-up contests in November by The Cook Political Report.

“In the last couple of years, the congresswoman felt that trust and confidence in representative government has been broken, so she’s doing her part to restore it by doing what she believes is right,” said Jared Powell, a spokesman for McMorris Rodgers. “She wanted to show that she voted for the tax reform bill for all the right reasons, which is that it provides relief for the middle class, creates jobs, and makes filing easier.”

Two McMorris Rodgers’ constituents, interviewed in downtown Spokane expressed modest interest in the issue of tax returns.

“I like it. Not that I read them,” said Joanne Krupke, 65, who lives near Davenport. “Just to show transparency.”

Sally Dashiell, 41, of Spokane, said she thinks politicians should generally release their tax returns.

“I’d be for it,” she said. “But it’s not a big deal.”

Last year, the Republican-controlled House and Senate passed the biggest changes to U.S. tax laws in three decades over criticism from Democrats that they disproportionately benefit corporations and the wealthy.

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