Gov. Nathan Deal will visit Macon Tuesday to support Sen. Cecil Staton, who faces a Republican primary challenger.
Staton's campaign says the two are expected to appear together starting at noon at Mercer University's University Center.
The governor's spokesman, Brian Robinson, confirmed that.
Staton, a Macon Republican, faces a challenge in the July 31 party primary from Spencer Price, a Thomaston doctor.
Robinson said Deal is appearing here because Staton is a good senator who's helped pass the governor's agenda.
He said it's not unusual for the governor to take sides on behalf of a Republican incumbent facing a primary challenge: "Not when he's done a good job and been a team player."
Robinson said, "We're happy to show our support for Senator Staton and wish him the best in the primary."
But Staton's current term has been controversial.
He helped lead a Senate uprising that tried to take away power from Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.
A Republican activist accused Staton of sending anti-Cagle emails under a false name -- Beth Merkelson.
And Staton exchanged letters and emails with Georgia Southern officials after they ended his company's contract to run their sports-radio network last year.
The school claims that Staton's Georgia Eagle company owes them more than $50,000. Staton denies that and calls it a simple business dispute.
Price could not be reached for comment.