Deal or No Deal?*

His office won't confirm it, but there are reports that Republican Congressman Nathan Deal is going to run for Governor.

Deal would join Secretary of State Karen Handel and State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine on the Republican side. His office did acknowledge Deal will be holding a press conference this Friday morning in Gainesville to make what they describe as a "significant" announcement. Meanwhile, with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle dropping out of the race, Deal's close ties to Georgia business groups could make him the de-facto choice for trade and industry organizations. That's according to Trey Hood, political scientist at the University of Georgia.

"He's a fairly conservative Republican. I think he would play well with business interests maybe better than some of the other candidates in the race, and so I think he could attract that from the GOP quarters."

Deal has worked with the Chamber of Commerce on numerous issues, including a plan to dam the Flint River. Deal has served in Congress since 1992. He was elected as a Democrat, but switched parties in 1996. Deal was a captain in the Army and attended Mercer University.

*-Sorry about the cheesy headline...couldn't resist-John