Gov. Bill Haslam urged Republicans to take seriously the growing problem of income inequality, in one of his first public appearances since launching his campaign for a second term.

Haslam said at the Davidson County Republican Party's First Tuesday luncheon in downtown Nashville that Republicans should not deny evidence that wealth is being spread unevenly or write off such concerns as Democratic propaganda.

The governor, whose family fortune is estimated to exceed $1 billion, said income inequality can be addressed best by improving the education system.

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