Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich has endorsed Martha Zoller in the 9th District Republican congressional primary, joining former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in Zoller's camp.

Her top opponent in Tuesday's primary, state Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, counts former governor and U.S. Sen. Zell Miller and state House Speaker David Ralston, R-Cherokee, as endorsers.

Collins served as a floor leader in the state House for Gov. Nathan Deal. Deal, and Miller, chaired Gingrich's failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

"In Congress, Martha will lead the force that fundamentally changes 'business as usual' in Washington and will work tirelessly to implement conservative solutions to our nation's most pressing problems," Gingrich said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the newly formed Georgia Freedom PAC has reported spending more than $17,000 on mailers and radio advertising to back Collins. Corporate records filed with the Georgia Secretary of State show the political action committee was incorporated by Bryan Tyson, a former aide to U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga., and John Watson, who led Deal's transition committee.

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8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia leaders, including Gov. Nathan Deal, Sandra Deal, members of the King family, and Rep. Calvin Smyre,  were on hand for unveiling of the first statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the statehouse grounds, more than three years after Gov. Nathan Deal first announced the project.  During the hour-long ceremony leading to the unveiling of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol on Monday, many speakers, including Gov. Nathan Deal, spoke of King's biography. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of King's famed "I Have Dream" speech. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres