Potential 2028 Presidential Candidates Delay Financial Disclosures
Several emerging political figures eyeing the presidency in 2028 are putting off their mandatory annual financial disclosures. This group notably includes Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a congressman from Silicon Valley with a net worth reaching up to $232 million, making him one of the most active traders among Democrats in the House, according to previous reports.
Khanna, at 49, is contemplating a run for president and could gain traction among progressives if Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)—known as AOC—decides against seeking the party’s nomination. She, too, has delayed her financial disclosure, a trend she’s followed since 2020.
Ocasio-Cortez, who often highlights economic struggles in her fundraising efforts, reported a net worth last year that fluctuated between negative $33,000 and negative $66,000.
At 36, AOC remains unmarried to her long-term fiancé, Riley Roberts, whom she got engaged to in 2022. This situation allows her to keep his financial information private.
Meanwhile, Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), who continues to preach at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, has seen his net worth increase to $2.2 million since taking office. A substantial book deal contributed to his purchase of a $1.15 million property in Washington, D.C.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a potential candidate for the presidency, has also sought a three-month extension for his disclosures. The former astronaut reportedly has a net worth of around $20 million as of 2024, largely due to his public speaking engagements.
Other politicians in the mix include Senator Cory Booker (D-N.Y.), who recently released a book, as well as Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), who garnered attention from former President Trump with a less-than-flattering nickname.
On the Republican front, candidates like Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), with an estimated net worth of $12 million, and Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), valued at $6 million, have also postponed their disclosures.
Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, pointed out that there seems to be a “political interest in withholding information” for candidates facing primary challenges. He referenced the case of Ilhan Omar, a fellow Democrat from Minnesota, whose financial disclosures have subjected her to various investigations.
