Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich

ATLANTA (AP) - Governor Nathan Deal is urging state legislators to support Newt Gingrich's bid for president.

In a letter to state officials, Deal encouraged legislators "to join me and many fellow Georgians in endorsing our next president, Georgia's own, Newt Gingrich." He noted that Gingrich is leading the GOP field in many polls.

Deal is Georgia state chairman of Gingrich's White House campaign. The two served together in the U.S. House and Gingrich.

The Gingrich camp is set to roll out new endorsements at a news conference Tuesday at the state Capitol.

Recently U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland announced his support for Gingrich, becoming the third member of the state's GOP congressional delegation to back the former House speaker.