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.
Gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/5/229307