ATLANTA - A Republican congressman has swapped endorsements in the race for governor, dropping Nathan Deal and backing Karen Handel instead.
Tom Price said Monday that Handel is the best chance Republicans have of holding onto the governor's mansion.
Price said that he called Deal about a month ago to let him know that he was withdrawing his support. The Roswell Republican said Deal's campaign ``didn't go as many had hoped.''
He declined to elaborate.
Deal's business dealings with the state prompted an ethics probe by congressional investigators.
In a statement, Deal said he was raised to believe that ``a person's word is his bond'' and thanked supporters who've remained loyal.