On the bright side for Gov. Nathan Deal, the fact that he’s patched up relationships with the Georgia Republican party is paying dividends today.

John Padgett, the recently elected state GOP chairman, has offered a full-throated defense of the governor, who has taken issue with renewed scrutiny of a package of ethics complaints.

From the press release:

“[I]n hopes of restoring their political relevance, the same liberals that refused to pass ethics reform while in power are using a story-starved media to launch their baseless, pathetic attacks against conservative leaders that did.  What a joke.

"Voters throughout the state of Georgia are proud of what Governor Deal, Speaker Ralston, and the entire Republican Delegation are doing under the Gold Dome to enhance accountability and transparency in state government.  Under their leadership, confidence in government has been restored and a new wave of investment, job creation, and economic development has followed suit.

"While liberals are busy lobbing accusations and insults, we will continue to work together to move Georgia forward; creating a brighter future for generations to come."

It is not a universal opinion among Republicans. One reason for Deal’s emphatic pushback this morning surely is the fact that the governor now faces two GOP primary challengers.

From David Pennington, mayor Dalton:

"There is a clear pattern from Nathan Deal: attack and try to discredit the messenger because he can't defend the message or the facts. Georgia taxes have gone up; our economy is struggling; and we have a Governor distracted from constant, ethical controversies."

From state School Superintendent John Barge, also a Republican primary challenger to Deal:

"To anyone familiar with the political history of our current Governor there is nothing shocking in today's allegations against him.  This is yet another reason why Georgia is ranked dead last in public integrity by the Center for Public Integrity. Georgia deserves better and I promise the people of Georgia that this will not be acceptable behavior in my administration."