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Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10

Wives of Deal, Carter play key role in campaign

In this Aug. 20, 2014 photo, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, right, and wife Sandra attend an event at the Department of Juvenile Justice's Metro Regional Youth Detention Center in Atlanta. With education at the forefront of this year's gubernatorial race between Republican Gov. Nathan Deal and Democrat Jason Carter, their wives have been playing an increasingly important role in the campaign. Both are teachers, vouching for their husbands’ commitment to education while also wooing independent voters. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
In this Aug. 20, 2014 photo, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, right, and wife Sandra attend an event at the Department of Juvenile Justice's Metro Regional Youth Detention Center in Atlanta. With education at the forefront of this year's gubernatorial race between Republican Gov. Nathan Deal and Democrat Jason Carter, their wives have been playing an increasingly important role in the campaign. Both are teachers, vouching for their husbands’ commitment to education while also wooing independent voters. (AP Photo/David Goldman) In this Aug. 20, 2014 photo, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, right, and wife Sandra attend an event at the Department of Juvenile Justice's Metro Regional Youth Detention Center in Atlanta. With education at the forefront of this year's gubernatorial race between Republican Gov. Nathan Deal and Democrat Jason Carter, their wives have been playing an increasingly important role in the campaign. Both are teachers, vouching for their husbands’ commitment to education while also wooing independent voters. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

BYRON, Ga. (AP) – With education a major issue in this year’s gubernatorial race between Gov. Nathan Deal and his Democratic challenger Jason Carter, both their wives have been playing an increasingly important role in the campaign.

In events across the state, Sandra Deal and Kate Carter are vouching for their husbands’ commitment to education. Both women have spent time in the classroom and frequently talk about their passion for teaching and learning.

Mrs. Deal has been a quiet force behind the governor in his first four years in office, traveling the state to promote reading while advocating behind the scenes for education. Mrs. Carter chairs a “Teachers for Carter” group that has drawn more than 700 members so far, saying education is why her husband is running for governor.

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Follow Christina Almeida Cassidy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Christina.