NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Forbes Magazine says Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam is now the country's richest elected official.
According to Forbes, Haslam's net worth has more than doubled since August from $980 million to $2 billion. The Haslam family-owned Pilot Flying J truck stop chain is selling more gas due to tumbling fuel prices.
Haslam has steadfastly refused to publicly disclose his earnings from Pilot, arguing that it would divulge the income of family members who aren't in public office. But the wealth of the Haslam family was illustrated when the governor's brother, Jimmy, bought the NFL's Cleveland Browns for $1 billion in 2012.
Gov. Haslam says that he has no idea where Forbes gets its information. He says he’s made a practice of not commenting on personal financial information.