ATLANTA (AP) Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has endorsed Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle in the Republican primary runoff to succeed him.
Deal made the endorsement Monday in Atlanta, calling Cagle the "the best one to continue'' the work he started as governor.
The key endorsement, from a governor seen as leading the state on a path to economic prosperity, comes at a pivotal time for Cagle. He is locked in a contentious runoff battle with Secretary of State Brian Kemp that will be decided July 24.
Kemp has made a late surge in the polls since releasing more of a secret recording in which Cagle can be heard saying he backed what he called "bad public policy'' for political gain.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting Kemp will pick up an endorsement Tuesday from Hunter Hill, the candidate who finished in third place in the GOP primary.
The winner faces Democrat Stacey Abrams in November.
