[bdw5204]

Plus winning an election means you're more likely to get those opportunities to make money. Most members of Congress are millionaires [0] and it has nothing to do with their salaries (which barely cover the cost of maintaining 2 residences given how high cost of living is in DC) or their pre-existing wealth before they run for office.

[0]: https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/04/majority-of-lawmake...