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Former congressman Beto O’Rourke released 10 years’ worth of tax returns Monday night, becoming the latest 2020 presidential contender to reveal information about his personal finances.

The Democratic candidate’s disclosure came shortly after Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is also running for president, released his tax returns dating back to 2009.

The returns show that O’Rourke and his wife, Amy, made more than $370,000 in 2017, the most recent year for which they released returns. That amount includes O’Rourke’s $162,211 salary as a member of Congress representing Texas and more than $11,000 from Stanton Street Technology, an El Paso-based Internet company O’Rourke co-founded in 1999.

It also includes about $53,000 in income from the Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development, or CREEED. Amy O’Rourke has worked as a consultant for the philanthropic organization, which aims to improve the academic performance of students in the El Paso area.

Earlier in the day, O’Rourke told reporters that he would release his tax returns in an effort to be transparent with voters — and he criticized President Trump for not doing the same.

“If he must be compelled through a subpoena to do so, so be it,” O’Rourke said, following a town hall in Charlotte on Monday morning. “But everyone who runs to seek that office should release their taxes.”

Read related Tribune coverage

• Charter schools are a complicated issue for Beto O’Rourke. His wife, Amy O’Rourke, founded one.
• Beto O’Rourke signed this pledge on oil money. Did he break it?
• Democrats had historic gains in Texas in 2018. They’re setting their sights on even more in 2020.

Jenna Johnson in Charlotte and Michael Scherer in Washington contributed to this report.

Author:  FELICIA SONMEZ, THE WASHINGTON POST

On Friday, State Representative Mary González announced the “Positivity in Politics” initiative, which seeks to highlight examples of positivity in grassroots leadership over the next two years leading up to the 2020 Presidential Election.

“After Donald Trump’s comments yesterday, anyone could be forgiven for feeling that divisive rhetoric and antagonism have taken the place of policy-making. But it doesn’t have to be this way. That is why today I am announcing the ‘Positivity in Politics’ campaign. Over the next two years, we will be recognizing communities across Texas coming together, in the true spirit of America, to reject negativity and work together for a better future.” Rep. González said.

“People of color, LGBTQ folks, and other marginalized communities deserve to have their voices amplified and their work recognized,” said Rep. González. “I am looking forward to helping share their stories through my ‘Positivity in Politics’ initiative.”

If residents know of a leader, organization, or community they would like to be recognized, they contact Representative González’s office at (512) 463-0613.