Republican gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal acknowledges he has financial problems but says he won't file for bankruptcy to cope with debts stemming from an investment in his daughter and son-in-law's failed sporting goods store.

Deal is facing multi-million-dollar debts that exceed his assets because his daughter and son-in-law filed for bankruptcy, leaving him with financial responsibility for bank loans to finance the store.

Deal told a news conference on Wednesday that he will not file for bankruptcy and will pay the debts, which total more than $2 million. He said his financial troubles are a sign he's facing the same economic turmoil as most Georgians, and that the investment was something parents do to help their children.

Tags: Georgia, Nathan Deal, governor's race, financial problems