U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Ga., was 25 percentage points behind Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll on the Georgia Republican gubernatorial primary released Monday.

About 35 percent of the poll's respondents -- 463 likely Georgia Republican primary voters -- said they planned to vote for Mr. Oxendine, while 10 percent said they would vote for Rep. Deal.

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel came in second in the poll, with 11 percent of respondents saying they would support her.

State Sen. Eric Johnson, R-Savannah; state Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton; and businessman Ray McBerry each got 3 percent or less of the total, according to the poll.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents said they didn't have an opinion of Rep. Deal.

Senators weigh in on ensign

Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, both R-Tenn., commended the response of Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., after he announced last week that he had an affair with one of his married staffers.

On Monday, Sen. Ensign resigned as the GOP's Policy Committee chairman.

"He's taken a substantial step," Sen. Alexander told Roll Call, a newspaper that reports on Capitol Hill. "He stepped down from his leadership position, which I consider an act of contrition."

Sen. Corker told Roll Call he has heard "nothing but support" for Sen. Ensign and that he and other GOP senators "appreciate the way he was really stand-up about this."

Twitter updates

Twitter is a social networking tool politicians often use to update supporters. Here's what some local and state officials and candidates were saying this week.

* U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., GOP gubernatorial candidate, Sunday: "Happy Father's Day to all dads. The greatest privilege of my life has been to be Weston and Coty's dad. Hope all Tennesseans get to know them"

* Nashville businessman Ward Cammack, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Sunday: "Had a great time Saturday at RC & Moon Pie festival in Franklin Co., and Pete Springer Day Hickman Co. Dem fundraiser. Nice to meet you all!"

* State Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, Tuesday: "drinking an iced tea before going to see 'The Hangover'"

* Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, GOP gubernatorial candidate, Thursday: "5 days left until the end of this fundraising quarter. Working hard and need your help!"