A distinct gender gap is forming in the race for Georgia’s top offices, as polls show female voters are siding with the Democratic candidates while men are solidly behind the Republican hopefuls for the open Senate seat and in the governor’s contest.

The gap mirrors a national trend that has unsettled GOP leaders and helped Democrats seize Republican-held seats in places like Virginia. Republicans here see their lead among men as a bulwark against Democratic gains in a state buoyed by demographic changes.

The distinction was sharpened in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll released Sunday. Democrat Jason Carter led Republican Gov. Nathan Deal by 10 points with female voters, and women gave Michelle Nunn a three-point advantage over Republican David Perdue in the Senate contest. Other recent polls have portrayed an even wider gap between male and female voters.

Read about how the campaigns are targeting this particularly prized voting bloc at our premium myajc.com site.