DALLAS -- Republican U.S. Senate candidate Craig James earned more than $9 million in the past five years, most of it from capital gains on investments, according to tax returns he released Thursday.
During that time, the former ESPN football analyst also lost more than $800,000 from farm income and rental/real estate investments/trusts and royalties, documents show."It's important for me to open up so people can know all they can about me," James, 51, said at a news conference at Sammy's Bar-B-Q in Dallas. "There's a short period of time people have to get to know me."Now I'm really opening up, trying to be as transparent as I can."James jumped into the Senate race late last year, joining more than a dozen other Texans, including Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and former Solicitor General Ted Cruz.On Thursday, James called on the other candidates to release their tax returns for the past five years as well."We must have the full confidence and trust of Texas voters, and that starts by proving we have nothing to hide," he said. "That kind of transparency will enable the public to decide who is best-qualified."James is one of 10 Republicans seeking to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison in the Senate next year. The former Southern Methodist University running back is best-known for serving as an analyst for ESPN and for being the father of Adam James, a Texas Tech football player whose family said he was mistreated after being diagnosed with a concussion. Tech coach Mike Leach, who denied mistreating James, was fired in 2009.From 2006 to 2010, James' tax returns show, his adjusted gross income was $9.2 million, with $1.2 million coming from wages, $7.2 million from capital gains and nearly $1.2 million from business income.He had more than $250,000 in income taxes withheld, owed $585,000 and paid other taxes, the reports show.James also gave $84,324 to charity.Campaign staffers for Dewhurst, a millionaire who made a fortune in the energy industry, said they plan to release full tax returns for 2009 and 2010, as well as a detailed estimate for 2011, this afternoon. The campaign staff for Leppert said he will release his returns "in the coming days."As for Cruz, who is a partner at a law firm, "if Dewhurst and Leppert would release their returns, Ted would be happy to do so as well," said James Bernsen, communication director for Cruz's campaign.Anna M. Tinsley, 817-390-7610Twitter: @annatinsleyHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
