Gov. Nathan Deal with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and his three Republican rivals signed a pledge that they would enact a religious liberty measure if theyre elected, taking a united stance on one of the most contentious debates in Georgia.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp and state Sens. Hunter Hill and Michael Williams had already signaled their support for the pledge. But Cagles decision to sign it was a surprise given his changing stances on the measure and the effort by some allies to spare him from making the decision.

It means that the leading GOP contenders to succeed Gov. Nathan Deal are all unequivocally opposed to his decision to veto the religious liberty measure in 2016 and that all will push to advance the legislation if theyre elected.

Read the entire story on MyAJC: All 4 Republican gov candidates sign religious liberty pledge

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Republican gov candidates stand in lockstep behind 'religious liberty' bill - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)