Georgia Gov. Deal Makes Endorsement In Race To Succeed Him

On Monday, Gov. Nathan Deal endorsed Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, left, in the Republican primary runoff to succeed him as Georgia governor. Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp, right, are competing to be the GOP nominee. The winner will face Democrat Stacey Abrams in November.

John Bazemore / Associated Press

Outgoing Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday announced he wants Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle to succeed him as the state’s top executive.

The endorsement gives a boost to Cagle’s campaign for the Republican nomination for governor just over a week before the polls close on July 24. His opponent in the primary runoff is Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

Standing next to Cagle in the state capitol after an announcement Mercedes-Benz would open a new “innovation lab” in Atlanta, Deal outlined his legacy for reporters, staff, and lobbyists.