ATLANTA -- Gov. Nathan Deal is making his presence felt in the final days of a Republican runoff that has come close to splitting his party apart since late May.
Earlier this week, Deal endorsed Casey Cagle in his July 24 runoff against Brian Kemp in the nation's most watched governor's race.
On Wednesday, Deal endorsed state Sen. David Shafer in his runoff against Geoff Duncan in a lieutenant governor's race that has turned increasing nasty over the last week.
“Since taking office in 2011, my top priority has been making Georgia the best place in the nation to live, work and raise a family," Deal said. "It’s of critical importance that we build upon our successes, achievements and reforms. The only way to ensure that occurs is by electing leaders who understand what it will take to build upon those efforts.
"David Shafer is a strong and principled conservative. He has been a key legislative ally in my efforts to cut taxes and keep Georgia the No.1 place to do business, and I believe he will continue moving Georgia forward."
The final couple of weeks of the campaign has seen a series of negative ads between Shafer and Duncan, with both candidates accusing the other of lying and corruption.
Shafer and Duncan finished first and second, respectively, in the May primary.
