What types of things would you be saying? We can accept that, but we don't want to know about the blow dryer and the comb that you got at Walmart.

Yeah, I think what's most important is being able to tell the story and being able to support that story with documentation.

Okay.

So as we tell buyers is that there is a lot of benefits in buying these businesses when you look at SDE versus EBITDA.

Some of that might be the car insurance, the cell phone bill, health insurance, some of these travel, entertainment, small items that they're still gonna be able to benefit from, but likely gonna expense those in the business going forward at the CPA's advice to minimize their taxable income.

So when we look at ad backs, we typically like to narrow those down to one-time ad backs.

ad backs that you can support, you can justify that are outside of EBITDA that are not going to be carry forward expenses on the buyer's side.

I don't necessarily have to sell the whole thing.

But beyond that, looking at some of these legislative races, how do things seem out there on the state level?

Yeah, well, look, I completely agree.

You know, I think we're pretty safe statewide in L.A., but that's why I want to see the statewide, you know, statewide nominees getting out there and campaigning, because it's not just about us.

This is about government in general, and it's about the down ballot rates.

It's about county school board, you know, county commission.

State House, State Senate, and everything in between.

So I think you're 100% right.

it should come up.

in the SBA lending world since you started?

Yeah, I mean, SBA, when I got involved in it, had a cap of $2 million, if I can remember that far back.

So yeah, I've been with Live Oak for eight years, since 2018.

And I remember, so $2 million, there was an increase to the $2 million cap of financing.

And that went on for a number of years.

And then SBA came out and said, well, the maximum financing for intangible is $500,000.

Anything above that has to be fully secured.

It's like two parties that are kind of playing with the same goal, but not.

so that's maybe hard to do but but you saw that ad go ahead

Well, I was going to say, look, I did not know that we had won.

I'm going to tell you right now, polling had it far closer.

There was a poll released five days out or a week out that had me five points down.

Don't believe that.

Well, that's a good question.

We've got to start expecting more out of our pollsters then because I think this does highlight something.

have got in had you not had it

So how do we unite? What steps should we take so that we can be strong in November?

So we need to look at everything that we've been through.

Right.

And it's almost like your older brother beating you up, toughening you up, getting ready for the schoolyard when you go to school.

Um, I've never seen an election cycle like this one.

And I was at the grocery store earlier today, and literally two ladies came up to me and said, I'm not voting today.

And I said, what? Why not? I'm done with it.

What are some things that you are seeing already as a result of your efforts and what can people expect in the future?

Well, how are

you feeling today? I mean, look, I'm feeling great.

Just continuing on with that message that we talked about in the primary where we came in first place, which is that we're the outsider.

You know, I'm a conservative.

I'm not a queer politician.

I don't want to be a queer politician.

And just, you know, really been the grassroots candidates who are hitting that hard over the last month, getting around, talking with folks all across the state about our message, you know, the fact that Donald Trump endorsed it.

What do you say to them?

What was the one or two things that really resonated with you from the voters in general from here in Alabama?

Yeah, I mean, look, Number one is the economy.

You know, there's people out there struggling to make ends meet.

And that's that's my heart.

I'm not a queer politician.

I'm a farm boy.

You know, and I got involved in the political process because I care about the people of the state.

Why should somebody vote for you over Wes Allen?

And so, but what, some of the things that are coming out and people are talking about, do you have any responses? What are the last things you want to say to voters before they go out tomorrow to the polls?

Yeah.

Well, look, you know, let's go on, go into a serious note, right? Because I think that ad does highlight something in this race.

And it's a very important issue.

You know, on the final few days of the campaign trail, I'm out there talking to voters about things like cutting taxes, phasing out the state income tax, lowering the cost of living, fixing our education system, getting woke garbage out of our classrooms, you know, defending election integrity and school choice and the issues that matter to the people of the state.

And while I'm doing that, my opponent is running a campaign AI raccoon talking about me.

And I think the people of Alabama are tired of this.

But why is it important? Why are you talking about those things? Why do you think it's important for voters to know where you stand?

And so but what some of the things that are coming out and people are talking about, do you have any responses? What are the last things you want to say to voters before they go out tomorrow to the polls?

Yeah, well, look, you know, let's go and go into a serious note, right? Because I think that ad does highlight something in this race.

And it's a very important issue.

You know, on the final few days of the campaign trail, I'm out there talking to voters about things like cutting taxes, phasing out the state income tax, lowering the cost of living, fixing our education system, getting woke garbage out of our classrooms, you know, defending election integrity and school choice and the issues that matter to the people of the state.

And while I'm doing that, my opponent is running a campaign AI raccoon talking about me.

And I think the people of Alabama are tired of this.

They're tired of the career politicians slinging mud, attacking their opponent, and not defending the values of the state of Alabama.

But why is it important? Why are you talking about those things? Why do you think it's important for voters to know where you stand?

How did you get Lee Greenwood to come in?

I was going to say, you know, nobody probably wants to come to a rally to see me, but coming to the city of Hoover is never bad, and especially for, you know, country music superstar Lee Greenwood, I mean.

We all know his song, you know, the patriotism that he brings to the table, just the man that he is, the person he's been for the conservative movement over the last, I don't know, since 9-11.

It's incredible, his heart for the country.

And I'm honored to have him coming in for me.

You know, I think he recognizes that the vision that I have and the heart that I have for the state of Alabama, for the country.

You know, I'm endorsed by Trump.

So run down, you know, what has been coming up top of mind for most of the voters that you go out and see on your campaign trail? What seems to resonate in the world of, you know, John Wall, if you're our lieutenant governor, I really need you to focus on Yeah,

Can this office still have an impact on public policy with a more limited role?

100%, that's gonna take me, finish the thought that I had, right? 100%, one of the most important positions of a true leader is that you don't need the power of government to force something.

That you can build the relationships, that you can make the compelling argument to get something done.

And look, that's what I've done as state party chairman for the last five years.

Look, the lieutenant governor has far more influence and a far better bully pulpit than state party chairman has.

And you know my track record as state party chairman.

You know my track record on the State Library Board.

And if you're elected, what would be the office lieutenant governor's top public policy priority?

Thank you, Secretary.

John, same question.

Yeah, same question.

Look, absolutely.

The Lieutenant Governor has a very unique role because it's almost the bridge between the executive branch and the legislative branch.

And I think that's an incredibly important role because it's a unique position in government.

And when you think about the fact that the Lieutenant Governor is the executive side, but they're chairing the state senate.

And if you're elected, what would be the office lieutenant governor's top public policy priority? For me personally?

Could you give us your assessment, your latest assessment of the maps and what is going to happen or what you think is going to happen next?

Yeah, the congressional redistricting? Yeah.

Yeah, for sure.

So, you know, obviously, as former state party chairman, this was I have done a lot of work with our redistricting and, you know, been involved.

The state party did multiple briefs to the Supreme Court, making the argument that it should be states and it should be our representatives, the people's representatives who redraw maps as the Constitution lays out, not federal courts.

And so I've been really excited to see the Supreme Court really going back and taking the right constitutional approach on this.

These districts should never be about race.

But can you tell people exactly what it is that you do and who you supply your butterflies to?

Could you give us your assessment, your latest assessment of the maps and what is going to happen or what you think is going to happen next?

Yeah, the congressional redistricting? Yeah.

Yeah, for sure.

So, you know, obviously, as former state party chairman, this was I have done a lot of work with our redistricting and, you know, been involved.

The state party did multiple briefs to the Supreme Court, making the argument that it should be states and it should be our representatives, the people's representatives who redraw maps as the Constitution lays out, not federal courts.

And so, you know, I've been really excited to see the Supreme Court, you know, really going back and taking the right constitutional approach on this.

These districts should never be about race.

But can you tell people exactly what it is that you do and who you supply your butterflies to?