BYRON, Ga. (AP) - Reading to a pre-K class in middle Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal was just getting into character when his wife, Sandra, gently repositioned the book in his hand, which had drifted away from the young students in his enthusiasm.<br />
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"The kids want to see," she said excitedly, prompting a knowing chuckle from her husband as he continued to read.<br />
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Mrs. Deal has been a quiet force behind the governor during his first four years in office, traveling the state to promote reading while advocating behind the scenes for education. With public school spending a top issue in this year's gubernatorial race between Gov. Deal and his Democratic challenger Jason Carter, both their wives have played an increasingly important role in the campaign.<br />
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Perhaps the biggest benefit of Mrs. Deal and Kate Carter has been their ability to vouch for their husbands' commitment to education. Both women have spent time in the classroom and frequently talk about their passion for teaching and learning.<br />
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"For me, education is personal - both as a mom and a teacher," Mrs. Carter told a crowd of teachers gathered recently at a private home in Acworth. She spoke to them about her two sons, ages 5 and 8, and her time teaching journalism at Grady High School in Atlanta.<br />
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Mrs. Carter, who chairs a "Teachers for Carter" group that has drawn more than 700 members so far, said she had given her husband "an earful each and every day" for the last six years about what it's like to be a public school teacher in Georgia. A central theme of the Carter campaign has been arguing the governor has shortchanged the state's public schools by up to $1 billion annually. Mrs. Carter noted a loss of some 9,000 teachers in recent years and growing class sizes.<br />
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"More than anything, he understands - like we all do - that teachers are not the problem in this state and that teachers are the key to the solutions to our educational problems," she said, prompting cheers from the group. "Education is why he's running for governor."<br />
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The host of the event, Ann Glendenning, said she was excited about the campaign not only because of the emphasis on education but also because of who the Carters are. Also attending the event was Carter's grandmother, Rosalynn Carter, wife of former President Jimmy Carter.<br />
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"He is a wise and refreshing candidate, and I believe him to be wise for one reason in particular," Glendenning said. "And that is because he seems to have surrounded himself with smart and strong women."<br />
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Mrs. Deal often talks about how her husband is committed to education, not only because of her time teaching but also because of his upbringing as the son of two educators. She also defends her husband's record on education, arguing he was confronted with a struggling economy upon taking office and shielded education from budget cuts that other state agencies faced. She recently was the focus of a TV ad by her husband's campaign, talking about how he cares about the education of Georgia's children.<br />
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The Deal campaign has said the governor held the line on education during his first three years in office and increased funding for this fiscal year after revenues improved.<br />
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"We all lost during that time ... " Mrs. Deal said in an interview. "It wasn't like any of us wanted it to be, but I think most teachers understand."<br />
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Former state GOP chair Sue Everhart said Mrs. Deal helps soften the governor's image, reminding voters he's a husband, father and grandfather who has made Georgia his home.<br />
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"There is not a nicer person in the world than Sandra Deal," Everhart said. "She's really proven she's for education and wants to promote it. And she brings out the best of the governor as far as his public persona."
