Governor Nathan Deal says the Republican party's popularity gap with women is every bit as serious as its well-documented struggle among minority voters.

Deal spoke at the National Federation of Republican Women’s Southeastern Regional Summer Conference in Atlanta this weekend.

He reminded the women's group that President Barack Obama won 55 percent of the vote in November, 11 percentage points better than Republican Mitt Romney.

The Republican governor didn't offer any detailed strategy for how the GOP can overcome the so-called gender gap, but he said failure to do so will cost the party future elections.

Deal's wife, Sandra Deal, meanwhile, encouraged the women gathered to maintain their involvement in the party. She said more women should run for office, but said volunteer and other behind-the scenes work is important to the party's success.

Contributors: Pat Marcus

Tags: GOP, Governor Nathan Deal, National Federation of Republican Women, NFRW