Nathan Deal, an attorney, prosecutor, state legislator and, for 18 years, a U.S. congressman from Gainesville will add governor to his resume when he takes office in January as the state's 82nd chief executive and the first from Hall County.

Surrounded by his family and fellow Republicans, including Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and a slew of U.S. and Georgia representatives in the ballroom of an Atlanta hotel, Deal thanked his supporters just before midnight for their help with the hard-fought victory.

"Sandra and I began this journey just over a year and a half ago," Deal said as people chanted his name and waved signs in support. "My faith in the people of this great state has been reaffirmed."

Deal beat Democratic opponent Roy Barnes with a comfortable majority of 53 percent. Barnes took 43 percent and Libertarian John Monds had 4 percent of the vote at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, with 97 percent of precincts reporting statewide.

"We're going to make this state great. We're going to show the rest of the country what Georgia can do," Deal said. "Tomorrow the work starts all over again. I will give you a full day's work every day for the next four years."

The election results defied some recent poll numbers that predicted Deal would come in ahead but without the 50 percent necessary to win the election outright.

Barnes conceded the race just before midnight.

Appearing before his supporters at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, Barnes said "I just talked to congressman Deal and I wished him the best as the new governor."

He quoted the Apostle Paul. "I have fought the good fight. I have run the good race. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith, and so have you."

Tuesday's win caps Deal's long career in public service. Deal has served as a judge, a state senator and most recently he's spent 18 years as the representative for Georgia's 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Georgia GOP reception was buzzing Tuesday night with candidates and supporters in their finest evening wear celebrating under the hotel's bright chandeliers.

The party celebrated not only Deal's victory but a successful night in races throughout the state.

"This great night didn't come by accident but because you believe in what we've been doing," Georgia House Speaker David Ralston said. "We have elected more Republicans to the Georgia House tonight than ever in the history of this state."

Hall County residents had a strong showing in Atlanta to support their hometown hero.

Col. Jeff Strickland of the Hall County Sheriffs Office was there, showing off a Deal button on his lapel.

Staff from the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce drove to Atlanta together in a bus to watch election night returns, said Tim Evans, vice president of economic development for the chamber.

Deal's wife Sandra said it was exciting to see so many friends and family members.

"It's wonderful to see the support and the people who've campaigned so hard. It's an honor to us because they've done it out of love and the belief in what Nathan stands for," Sandra Deal said. "It's great to know this many people came."

Deal's win Tuesday did not come easily, though. Deal overcame quite a few obstacles to make it past the victory line.

During the contentious Republican primary election, Deal appeared to be in third place behind John Oxendine and Karen Handel.

The primary election defied expectations, putting Deal in a runoff with Handel for the Republican nomination and unpredictably leaving Oxendine, the front runner for the majority of the race, in fourth place.

As the votes were tallied the night of the Aug. 10 runoff, the results were too close to call with 99 percent of precincts reporting.

Deal garnered an extremely slim lead of 50.2 percent of the vote over Handel, Georgia's former secretary of state.

The following day, Handel conceded the Republican nomination to Deal, rather than wait for a recount.

Deal's financial past came back to haunt him during his race against former governor Barnes.

In September, news broke that Deal was in serious financial trouble, owing more than $2 million on business loans that come due in February.

Deal had invested the money in a failed business started by his daughter and son-in-law.

A few days later, Deal admitted to accidentally leaving $2.85 million in active business loans for his Gainesville auto salvage business off of a state financial disclosure form.

Deal was also dogged by allegations he violated ethics rules while in Congress.

The close race was also a bitter one, full of attack ads from the candidates as well as outside groups like the Democratic Party of Georgia and the Republican Governors Association.

But despite the hiccups, Deal maintained a single-digit lead over Barnes in the polls leading up to Election Day.

With a statewide Republican sweep, Deal said he will be able to work with other elected officials to move the state forward.

"I'm just so proud. We're going to work together," Deal said. "We're not going to have the division we've seen in the past."

Deal said regardless of the negativity surrounding the race, the people of Georgia chose him as the next governor because of his character.

"I think they looked at my heart," Deal said.