ATLANTA - Gov. Nathan Deal, who will leave office as one of the most popular governors in Georgia history, endorsed Casey Cagle, saying the successes of the last eight years would not have been possible without Cagle's partnership and leadership.

"In order to get those major changes through the General Assembly, I had two partners," Deal said. "Because he has had a part in making these reforms happen, I think he is the best one to continue this tradition. My concern is let’s not undo or transform in a negative fashion the good reforms that have been put in place. For that reason, I believe that Casey Cagle will be the best candidate for that position as the next governor of our state."

Cagle said Deal's conservative leadership has elevated Georgia into the best state in the nation for business and delivered a red-hot economy and job growth that's the envy of the nation.

“Nathan Deal has few equals when it comes to visionary leadership and Christian character,” Cagle said. “He is a model I hope to follow not just as a governor but as a man, a husband and a father. Our state owes him a debt of gratitude we can’t repay because we’ll reap the benefit of his work for generations to come.

"I want to build on the foundation that Gov. Deal has created. We've partnered together to bring great success to this state, and I believe we're in a position where -- with the right leader -- we can grow even stronger. Eight years ago, no one would have thought that we would grow by nearly 700,000 jobs and 40,000 businesses, become the No. 1 state in the nation for business, and cut taxes by billions. But, that's what happens with rock-solid conservative leadership. I'm ready to be your next governor and I'm honored to have Gov. Nathan Deal's support in that endeavor. Georgia voters strongly approve of Gov. Deal’s record of accomplishment. It’s one of the greatest honors of my life to have his support in this race."