The state lawmaker who finished first in the Republican primary in east Georgia's 12th Congressional District is being supported in the upcoming runoff election by one of his former GOP rivals.

Dublin attorney Maria Sheffield announced Monday she's endorsing state Rep. Lee Anderson of Grovetown in the Aug. 21 runoff. Sheffield finished fourth with 15 percent of the primary vote.

Sheffield says in a statement she finds Anderson committed to "proclaiming the Christian faith" and to opposing abortion.

Anderson got 34 percent of the vote last week, requiring a runoff to see which Republican challenges Democratic Rep. John Barrow in the fall.

Unofficial returns show businessman Rick W. Allen finished just 570 votes ahead of attorney Wright McLeod. A recount may be required to determine who makes the runoff.

Tags: John Barrow, runoff, runoff elections, Rick Allen, Lee Anderson, Wright McLeod, Maria Sheffield, 2012 Georgia primary, primary runoff