Tom Cotton's Wealth: Unraveling the Net Worth of the Conservative Senator from Arkansas

Tom Cotton is an American politician and military veteran who has been serving as the junior U.S. Senator from Arkansas since 2015. His career spans politics, law, and military service, making him a figure of notable interest. Despite his prominent public role, documents reveal he has a relatively modest net worth.

Early Life and Education

Born on May 13, 1977, in Dardanelle, Arkansas, Tom Cotton hails from a family that has resided in rural Arkansas for generations. Cotton's educational journey began at Harvard College, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in government in 1998. He briefly attended Claremont Graduate University's master’s program before enrolling in Harvard Law School, earning his J.D. in 2002.

Professional Career

After law school, Cotton clerked for Judge Jerry Edwin Smith at the U.S. Court of Appeals and later worked in private legal practice. His life took a dramatic turn when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005. Serving as an infantry officer, Cotton completed the demanding Ranger Course, earning both the Ranger and Parachutist Badges. He was deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning the Bronze Star among other awards for his service.

Upon returning to civilian life, Cotton briefly worked at McKinsey & Company before embarking on a political career. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, he moved to the Senate in 2015.

Financial Overview

As of 2018, OpenSecrets estimated Tom Cotton’s net worth at $498,000. However, his 2022 financial disclosure forms indicate a significantly different scenario, estimating his net worth between -$5,085,000 and -$425,000. This wide range underscores the challenges of accurately calculating net worth from disclosure forms, which categorize assets and liabilities in broad ranges and often exclude personal property and retirement accounts.

Sources of Income

Cotton’s net worth is partly derived from the following sources:

• Politics: Serving as a U.S. Senator, Cotton earns a salary of $174,000 per year.
• Law Practice: His early career included stints as a law clerk and in private practice.
• Military Service: Cotton served in the Army from 2005 to 2009 and was part of the Army Reserve until 2013, attaining the rank of Captain.
• Investments: Publicly disclosed forms indicate investments in mutual funds and savings accounts.
• Authorship: Cotton has written two books, *Only the Strong* and *Sacred Duty*, earning royalties of $300,000 from Grand Central Publishing.

Insider Trading Allegations

In 2021, Business Insider reported that Douglas Coutts, Cotton’s chief of staff, made late disclosures of trades involving companies like Chubb Limited, Alphabet, and Abbott Labs. This incident brought attention to Cotton under the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, which aims to prevent insider trading by lawmakers.

Personal Profile

Tom Cotton's life story is deeply rooted in Arkansas. Raised on a family farm, he developed a robust work ethic early on. His military career, marked by multiple decorations, and subsequent political career have consistently reflected his conservative values. Cotton is known for his firm stances on defense, immigration, and limiting central government power. He has remained a vocal critic of policies like the Iran nuclear deal and advocates for a stringent approach to China.

Conclusion

Tom Cotton's net worth illustrates the financial intricacies of a public servant's life. Despite a significant income, his assets and liabilities tell a complex story. As he continues to serve in the Senate, his financial disclosures will remain a point of interest for many.