Nathan Deal swept to victory on Tuesday night, securing the Republican nomination for governor of Georgia.

Unofficial tallies showed the incumbent governor with a sizeable lead Tuesday night ahead of former Dalton Mayor David Pennington and State Schools Superintendent John Barge.

Gov. Deal celebrated the victory early Tuesday night. Thanking his supporters in a press release, the governor said he was looking toward to Georgia’s future and reiterated his accomplishments, including making Georgia the number one place in the nation to do business.

"I will run on my record of the last four years, but also my vision for the next four years. We're proud to look back; we're excited to look forward,” said Deal. “ When I came into office, Georgia was still reeling from the Great Recession. Unemployment hovered above 10 percent. Schools imposed weeks of furlough days. Many Georgians were losing hope.”

In a speech shortly after winning the primary, Deal said his campaign would continue focusing on keeping government small, keeping taxes low and giving Georgians freedom of choice in their children's education.

The governor will face Democratic state Sen. Jason Carter and Libertarian Andrew Hunt in November’s general election.

Georgia Democrats are hoping that Carter can mount a serious challenge in a state where a Republican now holds every statewide office.

Carter, the grandson of former president Jimmy Carter, did not face a contested Democratic primary Tuesday.

Contributors: The Associated Press

Tags: politics, Nathan Deal, Jason Carter, election2014, Andrew Hunt