ATLANTA (AP) — The Republican front-runner in the race for Georgia governor says in a secretly recorded conversation that he pushed an education measure he considered "bad public policy" to deprive a political rival of campaign support.

In the recording obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV, GOP Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle can be heard saying his decision to support raising tax credits for private school scholarships "ain't about public policy. It's about (expletive) politics."

Clay Tippins said he recorded the conversation on his cell phone while speaking with Cagle two days after the May 22 primary. Tippins finished fourth.

Cagle faces Secretary of State Brian Kemp in a July 24 runoff.

Cagle said in a statement he spoke "openly and honestly" with Tippins and he supports expanding "education options and opportunity."