Policy, Passion & Prosthetics and Orthotics: A Conversation with GA House Representative for District 100, David Clark

In today’s episode, Rachael sits down with Representative David Clark, a combat-tested Green Beret in the U.S. Army, small business owner, husband, and father. He is also running for Lieutenant Governor in the upcoming election on May 19th, 2025, here in Georgia. Representative Clark has been deeply involved in healthcare policy in Georgia, with a particular focus on access to prosthetic and orthotic secondary devices.

Together, they discuss Senate Bill 101, the collaborative effort between David Clark and Senator Randy Robertson aimed at improving coverage and support for individuals who rely on prosthetic and orthotic care. Rachael and Representative Clark break down what the bill means, why it matters, and how it could impact patients across the state.

This episode offers an inside look at the legislative process, the motivation behind the bill, and the broader implications for the limb-loss and limb-difference community in Georgia. 

We’re grateful for Representative Clark’s commitment to serving in a statewide capacity and for his continued focus on issues that directly affect our patients. His engagement in healthcare policy has the potential to make a meaningful difference for individuals who rely on prosthetic and orthotic care.

Please consider donating to Representative David Clark's campaign! 

https://votedavidclark.com

https://secure.winred.com/david-clark-for-georgia/donate-today

Follow David!

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Follow Alliance Prosthetics and Orthotics below!

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Questions? Email us! Info@alliancepo.com

Guest: David Clark, Georgia House Representative for District 100

Host: Rachael Auyer, Co-Owner of Alliance Prosthetics & Orthotics

Producer: Laine Johnson, Alliance Prosthetics & Orthotics, Marketing Assistant

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Welcome back to the Alliance Goldigger Podcast. I'm your host, Rachel Oyer. Today we have a special guest, Representative David Clark. Representative Clark was a Green Beret in the U.S. Army, a business owner, and is married to his beautiful wife, Courtney. Together they have three cute kids. He is currently running for the lieutenant governor's position here in Georgia. He is not just a political candidate. He is deeply invested in the healthcare policy here in Georgia, especially surrounding prosthetic and orthotic devices. Senate Bill 101 was a collaborative effort between David Clark and Randy Robertson. Today we're going to dive into what that bill means, why it matters, and how David's campaign ties to it. We're so glad you're here. Thank you for listening. Well, thanks so much, David, for being here. I would love to give you an opportunity to talk about why you are running for lieutenant governor and what inspired you to do so.

SPEAKER_01 0:55

Yeah, definitely. Thank you, Rachel, for having me on the podcast. I'm David Clark. I was born here in Georgia. I grew up Ash in Gwinnett County until I was 12 on a small farm. We've got nine siblings, so it was 10 kids total in the family. And uh and then at 12, we moved to Buford on Lake Lanier. And then um out of uh high school, I joined the Army, served six years, and then I got out and I uh got into real estate with two of my brothers, went to college at the same time. And uh my start into politics was in in 2014. My uh oldest brother was serving in the house and he called me. I remember I was standing on my front porch and he decided to step out of politics to take a job in California, and he asked me, he goes, Hey, do you want to run for my seat? And I remember I told him, No way. I mean, all of us know politics. I mean, it's crazy. I mean, you turn on the TV and you see the divide and just everything that goes on in politics, and uh I said no, and I helped another guy, Michael Brown, he ran for his seat, and I helped knock doors, helped him on his campaign, and he won the primary, and he passed away three months after winning the primary from a heart attack at uh 53 years old. And I don't know, just something just hit me that I need I need to run. And so I prayed about it and I jumped in the special election. There were six in the race, and uh God bless me, I won. I was a little bit nervous running because I was 28 at that time, not married, no kids. And in politics, it's nice to have a family and have that picture, right? The dog. Yeah, um, and uh, anyways, God gave me the win, and I've been there 11 years. Um, but the big reason for running for LG, I was not planning on running, but yep, had no plans. Um, and July 29th, I got a call from somebody in the house and actually in leadership, and was asking me who I was backing for LG. And uh, I said, I'm not head toys backing anybody. Um, just because I've been down for 11 years, I know who everyone is and their story and what they do and what they do behind the scenes and how they act when when nobody's watching. And so I told him, but there was one I was kind of still looking at, deciding if I was gonna back somebody, and he dropped a name on the phone, and I said, Yeah, that's who I'm looking at, still deciding if I do get involved in the race. And he told me, he goes, Well, he goes, This guy has some serious allegations, but if he can beat the allegations, he could maybe be the next LG. And if you follow my politics for 11 years, I'm big on integrity, accountability, transparency, doing the right thing. And so I told him, I was like, there's no way I'm gonna back somebody and put my name and my reputation on that, on him beating the allegations. And so I was telling my wife that later that day for her birthday, July 29th, took her out for dinner, and I was just telling her, hey, you know, how upset I was to hear about these allegations and stuff. And uh she said to me, she goes, Why don't you run? She's like, You're wrapping your time up in the uh Green Berets. I'm finishing up my 13th year in the military and decide to get out at the beginning of this year. And she goes, You you don't have any skeletons, so why don't you pray about it? So we started praying, called my pastor, called some of my mentors, because I believe I believe you need to have those people in your life who keep you accountable, keep you focused on the direction you should be going and listen to God and not stepping, you know, off the path that He has for you. And then I called a few of my donors because it's a major race. You know, you don't just launch a campaign and say, Hey, I'm gonna go win this. Yeah. Statewide, it's a big state, big money. And uh, so we launched our campaign August 12th, and uh it's been going amazing. I'm going six days a week. I take a day off for Sunday, go to church with the wife, spend time with the kids, um, and then you know, May 19th, give it to God and give it to the voters.

SPEAKER_00 4:22

Yeah, absolutely. No, that's awesome. I know that you have a desire to lead here in Georgia for all Georgians. Where does that come from?

SPEAKER_01 4:31

I mean, pr probably a few things. I mean, how my parents raised me, but a big thing, a mixture of my my faith, history, when when my mom taught me how to read, um, and then, you know, the military and all that, just a whole mixture, you know, fighting for people. But the biggest thing I think it comes down to my faith is I mean, you read in the Bible, it's like, you know, it's a clear thing, it's like being a voice for those who have no voice, those who are weaker than you, and specifically women and children, um, just doing the right thing. And he he calls you to do that. And I think that that's a huge part of my story and my some of the fights I've been in in politics, which were not fun, being in the doghouse at times, but you have to be a voice, you have to do the right thing. Because I live with two things, is it's a mixture of my faith in the military, but it's like I know one day I stand before God, and I know for the military even more, I'm not guaranteed tomorrow. So it's what I do today matters and echoes for eternity. And so that kind of drives my passion to do what's right no matter what.

SPEAKER_00 5:25

No, that's so well said and connects to why we know each other and how this all started in an August day where we knocked on doors and tried to find somebody who would carry a little bill. At the time it was called House Bill 87, and you proudly sponsored that bill. But I thought maybe you could talk about what this bill is, why you care about those who use prosthetics and orthotics, and maybe shed some light on what we got done this past year.

SPEAKER_01 5:53

Yeah, I remember that day that that we actually met and uh I was at the Capitol and I got pulled aside, hey, um, but Julianne McConnell. She was like, hey, why don't you meet somebody and that's some legislation we're carrying and maybe you would carry it. And I'm thinking, like, oh, what am I getting myself into? Um, but I I remember meeting you, and then one that really hit me was I met Elliot, the six-year-old, and you know, you're telling me about the bill for the prosthetics with Otics bill. And but I remember meeting Elliot is when it hit me. It was like, and again, it goes back to the core of who I am, is like, put yourself in somebody else's shoe. And I remember meeting Elliot. I got three kids, you know, Madison seven, Miles three, and Maverick, who's 18 months old. And you know, right away I was like, what if that was my son? It was Elliot, you know, he's missing a leg, you know, he's a twin, shouldn't have survived birth, um, but he's living here full of life. And y'all told the story about how you only get one prosthetic um every five years. And then I'm I'm thinking, you know, little Elliot wants to go play in the playground, you know, ru run around with his brother, go play in the playground, just live life to the his full extent. And uh, I mean, it captivated me. And I just realized that this was a bill that I was gonna become very, very passionate about.

SPEAKER_00 7:04

No, you were very passionate, and I being very green, did not know all the work it was gonna take, but we got a lot done. And maybe you could talk about the journey of the bill and kind of how you worked on behalf, even I don't mind if you brag about yourself too, because I mean this is an opportunity for you to say this bill, it it took a collaboration between a lot of different people and how it got over the finish line.

SPEAKER_01 7:28

Yeah. I mean, I'll say I played a small part. Yes, I was the one who sponsored it because I'm the elected and was able to carry the bill and put my name on it. But I I'll say the biggest thing was the stories that were told. I think we had the huge impact. I mean, I remember we had the So Everybody Can Move Day at the Capitol, beginning of session, and so many patients showed up, you know, in the community, being a voice, and then we were able to take so many around, go to the speaker, go to the lieutenant governor. Yeah, I was able to recognize um a number of of y'all in the gallery that day. And I think it was that connection of the heart, you know, of people understanding, you know, this community that sometimes isn't so noticed, but we were able to highlight them and what they do. And so, I mean, that that was huge. And I think the biggest we got done the first session, which was huge, because sometimes it can take three to five years, um, and maybe longer on some of these bills, because I know it had a mandate part in it. And I know sometimes I'm I'm a conservative, a a Republican, sometimes mandates can kind of be a little scary word, but it was the right bill because it makes sense. I mean, just the ROI, the return on investment is massive, just because when I got to know the community and even meeting I forget the guy's name, but he it was a business guy, he travels all over the country. I remember he told me, and he also said in committee the story, but how he um he couldn't shower with his prosthesis, and how he had this travel chair he would unfold and sit in it and take a shower and it broke, and he had to crawl out of the shower, put back on his prosthesis, he had to drive himself to um Home Depot, get one of the buckets, five-gallon buckets, go back, take a shower. Um, and so those type of stories I think had a huge impact, you know, and then also just in committee of t telling people, hey, it's it's not about the mandate. I mean, what if this was you or one of your children, your wife, your husband, what would you do? And I think it's so much more than just political, it's is it the right thing? Is it the right bill? And that's what got me excited about passing it and getting it done.

SPEAKER_00 9:24

And we were able to work with the insurance committee and really those who lobbied on behalf and find a meaningful compromise. I know that was one of the things that was pushed back to us that we had to make sure we figured out language that made sense. And you and Juliana, we went back and forth on it and we were able to do that. And that I think is the other side of this coin essentially, is that even though insurance companies that they needed to know that this was good legislation on their behalf, and maybe you could talk about why it makes sense for insurance companies to cover something like a shower device or anything for activities of daily living, because our patient population being in society is such a benefit. And you talked about ROI.

SPEAKER_01 10:10

And and also, I mean, I mean, you go think about it, it's like, okay, yes, you know, it's a little more on the insurance companies, the costs and all that for those additional two prosthesis every three years. But what it does is if you look at the community, and I learned a lot from you and and and everyone, was you just look at the chronic illness in America, a huge part of that in a community who needs orthotics and prosthetics is it's so much higher. I mean, it's just massive obesity, health issues. And it's because they can't go out and just do daily things that we all do and we take for granted, you know, going to exercise, you know, be able to go take a shower by yourself, be able to go travel, work, and all that. And and what we did, the ROI, I know it's gonna pay off for our state, our nation as a whole. And I think when we when you look at the whole thing, not just political, because too too much it becomes political. It's like, well, I'm Republican, you're a Democrat, and it's all how it looks in the political realm. And it's like you got to step away from that and just see how does it all add up and what's good for society for generations to come. And I think this bill is gonna show that huge difference. Um, because people can now go work, travel like that one guy.

SPEAKER_00 11:17

Yeah, um Keith. He's a patient.

SPEAKER_01 11:19

Keith, yeah, that's Keith. And and and it's just like instead of him going on welfare, because I mean I was talking to him, it's like that is in the back of your head, it's like if I can't afford this device, you know, I can't go take a shower, I can't go travel and do business and and pay back to society, be a part of it, productive part of society, you know, a lot, and and we talk to them just going on welfare, because it's like I can't pay for these devices, so therefore it actually becomes a burden on society instead of giving them the devices they need, and now they're right there in the in our society being a productive part and giving back and um helping, you know, pay taxes and and give back and serve the community. So that was uh a big part of why we needed to pass, and we did pass it.

SPEAKER_00 12:00

No, it it made sense and it was a bipartisan effort, and we were able to really develop a coalition of like-minded foundations and organizations here in Georgia, Blaze Sports being a big one, knowing that what we got done is job-related activities that are covered now, which adaptive sports have been shown. And I know you were highlighted through Blaze Sports because they were so pumped that you got this done, because a lot of their stuff for their kiddos that participate in adaptive sports wasn't covered. So, if in fact their insurance policy is one of the few, or I want to say many, because hopefully it'll be many once we get down to the nuts and bolts, still working on that, that this will be covered and that those who participate in adaptive sports are more likely to go back to work, which is just a huge piece to our desire. You and I share that similar belief is getting people out in society and participating because people with purpose, they continue to do great things in our state and in our nation, and we need people on mission here.

SPEAKER_01 13:00

I remember one story I just want to tell that had a huge impact. It was at the Capitol on the So Everybody Can Move Day. And I remember this young woman comes up to me and she said, told me about the story she had lost her leg a number of years ago. And she goes, Hey, can I show you a video, you know, for the first time running again? And uh Jared Wallace, who was helping her on the track and all that, he's the uh three-time, was it three-time paralympian?

SPEAKER_00 13:22

Oh man, I don't have his records in front of me, but I'll tell you a three-time, a four-time paralympian.

SPEAKER_01 13:26

He's a world record holder, uh, fastest person. Oh, he's done everything. But I remember she walks up, she goes, Can I show you show you this video of me running for the first time in years? And I was like, Yeah, definitely. And she showed me the video of her on the track running with her blade, and that was awesome to see. But then she then she said to me, and she started tear up, I had to hold back my tears. But she was like, She's like, This is amazing running. She's like, because I'm an athlete in the past, and now I can be an athlete again and go run and exercise. She's like, But my biggest dream in life is to be a mom one day. She's like, to have kids, to be able to chase after them, play tag, and take care of them. And it's like, that's what we gave. Because if we stayed with the original legislation of just one prosthesis every five years, you know, she couldn't go chase after them, you know, and take care of them and be a mom and be a part of society and give back. And so I know that hit me hugely, just even more motivation to get that piece of legislation passed. It's the stories.

SPEAKER_00 14:19

It's the stories. We really did. We had champions and compelling stories. And of course, we made Jared Wallace carry his medals around the entire Capitol, and I told him to wear shorts, and one day we'll get him on the podcast to talk about his experience.

SPEAKER_01 14:31

And every everybody wanted to put that medal on.

SPEAKER_00 14:33

He was so gracious. He really did. He shared his medals with many people, and uh, that was Nan. Nan is uh an incredible advocate, and we're so grateful that she shares her story. Brad, a small business owner, uh patient out of ProCare, he um he just wanted a secondary device. He's a carpenter business owner, was boxing and needed a more robust orthotic. I think a lot of people don't know that you only got one and it couldn't even be for activity specific. No one, no prosthetist or orthodist could write in their note that it was for showering or for boxing because that was not considered an activity of daily living, our rehabilitation. And so we got wording and a definition that allows us as not me, I'm not a clinician, I just run your insurance and get you an appointment. But our clinicians here can now say our patient wants to be able to shower independently, so we're able to provide a shower device if in fact they carry the right kind of insurance, which is going to lead me to my next point is that we are ambitious people and we want to figure out a way for state health benefit plan. And those are the Board of Regents, because we have two patient advocates that they uh one from the very beginning advocated with us, Linda Fisher, and she's not eligible. She gave her time and her energy away, and we still know that in 26 she's not going to be eligible. And I thought maybe you could talk about that.

SPEAKER_01 15:59

Yeah, definitely. And Linda Fisher, I actually just had lunch with her a few weeks ago down in South Georgia as I was campaigning, had some extra time. We stopped, had lunch, and just an amazing, amazing lady. Her story, the accident she went through, lost her daughter, and just her faith and how God's using her to pour into other people is just absolutely, absolutely amazing. Um, but yeah, this upcoming session, we're working on legislation to be able to add the state healthcare plan, the Board of Regents Healthcare to allowing the prosthesis and uh orthesis and all that. So I'm feeling feeling optimistic again. I mean, it's always a battle in politics. You never know the games that are played. Um, and they then you have the big elections, statewide elections coming up, so you never know if people's political, you know, games and them wanting to win whatever election they're running for, do they get in and mess with bills just because they don't want somebody to get some recognition. Um, but um feeling optimistic. We'll go full throttle and hopefully get it passed and make sure that everybody's on a level playing field and they can chase their future, their dreams, and uh just live life like all of us.

SPEAKER_00 17:00

I know um we're doing a series and you're the first part of the series, and the patient that I'm really advocating for, Linda was my first one, and then I met all these others through this whole entire experience, and of course, all my patients here at Alliance. It's a privilege to treat our neighbors and to care for those that are in their worst days. We don't do happy medicine, we only do life-altering medicine, and to be able to be a small part of their recovery, it fuels Jason and I to want to fight for them at all levels. Hannah Neighbors is gonna be on and and Lane is probably smiling because she's we've already recorded it in advance. But she's advocating in Rome, Georgia, as a special education teacher who was in a terrible car accident and lost her leg resulting in the accident, and is a teacher. And this legislation will not cover her health insurance. So Hannah's town hosted a fundraiser so she could have a running leg. And that's that's the part that I think you and I both agree on. We're both active people, the gift of mobility, knowing that our mental health being codified here in the state of Georgia is equal to physical health. You work out, you know what it's like. And I think we can resonate with patients wanting to be able to be active. I thought maybe you could talk about why mental health, physical health, and we can't leave our teachers out. We can't leave these other important people here in Georgia out of this amazing legislation.

SPEAKER_01 18:22

Oh, yeah. And definitely just, I mean, think about just the working out, being on a outside, go run, go walk, you know, play a sport is massive. I mean, I know my time in the military and overseas, I mean, the biggest thing that was in the back of my mind was like, yeah, I'm willing to give my life to this country, but like, what if I lose my leg? I mean, running to me is massive. Running, going to work out every day, it's it's my stress release, you know, to be able to clear my head and all that. And I remember in the back of my head, I'm going, if I lose a leg or something, like I can't go run, can't go exercise. That's the back of my head. And it's like, I mean, I can imagine people who are going through this on their plans, they can't get the additional prosthesis to go exercise. I mean, that's massive on mental health, you know, on obesity, chronic illness, everything. And so I think but but I I think a big thing is why this just passed is is why a big reason why I'm running for LG is too often legislation is looked at sadly uh by both sides of how much does it benefit me? Like if I pass this legislation, is it gonna put big money in my coffers, in my campaign coffers for a future election, you know? Because I mean this bill, I mean, I I mean I would do this bill any any any day of the week, I'd lose a re-election just uh to have passed it, you know, and to continue passing this next piece. Um, but it's not about is it gonna get you ahead, is it gonna give you all this recognition and publicity? Is it right or is it wrong? And when you know it's right, go pass it, you know, put your whole heart into it. Because I know as I've got to know this community, I mean they're just the most fiery, passionate people who won't take a no, they're only gonna take a yes. And I mean it motivates me because it's like I'm blessed, I got all my limbs, you know, and uh, you know, I'm blessed, but when you see them not give up, not quit, you know, that's why I'm running. It's just I mean, I think it's people who look at anything in life is what would I do if I was in that person's shoe? And then if you know it's the right thing to do, even if it's not a big community, you know, if it doesn't pay you back politically or financially, who cares? Right? It's about loving God, loving others, doing the right thing. And I think that's the problem in politics, is why I'm running is I think so many people are left out, and there's so many other problems we have in communities that need help, but it's like, oh well, they only have a small voice, they don't have a lot of money to give, you know, to my campaign. I think that's just wrong.

SPEAKER_00 20:33

No, you know that that was the first thing that was said to me is well, how big is your patient population? When I told them how small it was, they're like, Okay, strike one. How many clinics in the state of Georgia? I told them strike two are not a large profession. And I mean, strike three is that we I mean, you know that we're not like high rollers here in the state of Georgia. And I remember very clearly that one of my very close friends, uh, she offered to have me speak with her dad. And he said, you know, Rachel, you're flight-eating Goliath. And he said, and that to me, I was like, well, good thing I'm on David. And then look who is actually sponsoring our bill, a David. Somebody who understands that the person that you are up against, it it doesn't matter what you're up against, you do the right thing. And so that to me is how you've lived your life. I don't know if you want to talk about any of the stories of some other past legislation. It doesn't have to be connected to prosthetics and orthotics. That you championed and you know was the right thing for the state of Georgia and why those that are listening, and Jason and I try not to be super political because we serve a wide variety of people, and unfortunately, politics divides people. I love politics because policy is about people, and I love people. But you can talk about the things that you've done in your 11 years that you're really proud of.

SPEAKER_01 21:51

Yeah, thank you. Um I mean passion about um well, a big one I carried last year, um, and being being a Green Beret combat vet, Nash is. Security is a big one, past uh a uh banning foreign adversaries from buying up farmland here in Georgia. Because I mean it it's critical to any nation, your water supply, your food supply, your infrastructure, all that. And uh it banned foreign adversaries like China, Russia, Iran for being able to come into our state and buy up our farmland and all that. So that was a big one, and I was passionate to uh to carry that. And then I carried another one, allowing right now there was a ratio on doctors like in their clinics and all that, they had to have the ratio to where it was even with nurses and PAs. And down in like South and rural Georgia, sometimes you can't get PAs. And so it was if you had eight, um you're allowed to hire, it had to be four PAs for APRNs, which made no sense because if we're about healthcare, then if they can just hire eight nurses, then that should be okay. I mean, because if you can't get PAs, you can't get PAs because not everybody wants to go down to South or rural Georgia, right? And so that was when I passed, uh, I think it was last year or the or the year before. Um, but it's it's just simple bills that are technically small but are massive and how it changes the landscape and for people and for healthcare and all that. So and then I have another one, it was gonna pass this year, and it was the next bill up and then uh Siny Die. Sorry it was with uh home health services.

SPEAKER_00 23:17

I'm sorry, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:18

And um, which is actually it would be a huge one for Georgia, especially in South and Rural Georgia, but all over of allowing PAs and APRNs to sign off. But again, the politics that gets involved is like, oh well, doctors should be overseeing this. But during COVID for three years, Governor Kemp did uh signed an executive order allowing APRNs and PAs to sign off on home health services, which is huge, because you need to sign that right away and not wait, because then you got to redo the whole process. And uh that was a fight for a few years, but it should pass this next session. All it needs is a uh vote in the Senate because we had to change up one little part of it um to fix one part of the the uh legislation, but that'd be a huge one.

SPEAKER_00 23:55

Um, that would help so much to expand healthcare. Expanding and really getting those that are qualified to oversee care, the access. A lot of people don't know the red tape that we fight in healthcare, and you have been so generous with fighting for those providers that here in Georgia we are kind of circularly going to each other, and you you care about that. This legislation, other pieces of legislation. I think we've talked candidly uh through this, we've become friends. I think the world about you and your wife and your family, uh we desire a a nation, a state that it's common sense. And I thought maybe I could let you talk about your love for common sense and sustainability and good ideas.

SPEAKER_01 24:37

Yeah, that it's a big big reason why I'm running is I mean, I believe that common sense is common sense. It's the right thing, pass it through and stop playing politics all the time. I mean, I get we have politics, but like I've been for 11 years. I hate it. I mean, let's just sit down and talk. Like put a bias nest, put per put away our personal ambitions. It's like just do the right thing. I think too much, and it's why I'm running for LG. Is like I will be the most transparent upfront lieutenant governor or a statewide candidate we've had, at least in my lifetime of 39 years, I can tell you that. It's just sitting down. If it's good, it's good. If it's bad, it's bad, you know, and then not holding grudges. I think a big thing is, you know, even during during this election, and I say it when I travel a lot, is like even if there's a senator, somebody who's against me or attacks me, and you know, I go win this, which I believe I can win this and I will win it May 19th, is I'll preside over the Senate as the lieutenant governor. And if there's a senator who attacked me, called me names, but has a good piece of legislation, I'm not gonna hold it up and not let it come to the floor. If it's a good piece of legislation, it's gonna pass. Because it's all about doing the right thing for Georgia, moving us forward, helping out the people, and not, you know, holding back and getting retribution just because somebody was against you. I think too much in politics, it's well, if you're not for me, then now going forward, I'm gonna get you back. And I think that's the problem. And it's like, you know, I mean, a big thing, a big quote I love is Ronald Reagan had it on his desk, I have it on my desk. I've been to his library three times, so big fan. But it says there's no limit to how high a man can go as long as he doesn't mind who gets the credit. And I think that's what life's about. It's like you let God judge, you let him settle settle the scores, you just love him, love others, do do the right thing, and where the chips fall, they fall. You know, and I always tell people, I think I'm invincible until I die. You know, because as long as I'm following God, seeking him, wherever the chips fall, then that's where he has me. And I think too often we lose that, especially in politics. Um, it becomes a game and you know, you're for me or you're against me, and there's no middle ground just come together trying to do do the right thing in the moment.

SPEAKER_00 26:34

No, and I I know you, and I know you're not in it for the other person or yourself. You're actually here to serve your constituents and the rest of us, and you care about Georgians. That's been a massive shift for me, where on the other side, watching this all happen, you do. You you learn really fast. And one of my uh other as a senator, he said, if you want a friend, bring your dog, it can be very cutthroat and it it comes down to it's a game and not remembering that we're here to serve. And so I know that that is your mindset. I didn't know if you wanted to talk about kind of the things that you hope for the future for Georgia, some pieces of information that if someone was considering you as a candidate, why should they vote for you? What would be a reason that they could trust that you understand what's going on in Georgia and your position and why you want to move this whatever it is forward?

SPEAKER_01 27:34

I mean, I think the biggest thing, I mean, right now I'm running in a primary as a Republican, but I mean I mean across the board though, I think the biggest thing is is why you should and can vote for me and want to vote for me, is this is you know, we all vote, especially with the other Republicans, we vote 99.9% the same way outwardly. But it's who do you trust when you lay your head on your pillow at night, you and your family, who do you trust who would take a bullet for you, who will stand up, who will hold the line and do the right thing? Because it's easy during campaign season, everyone's gonna say the best lines, they're gonna try to win you over, they're gonna say whatever they they need to say to try to get you a vote. Um, but it's who's gonna stand up. And I I think you can look back, you you can actually Google me. My history's out there. But back in 2019, um, I'd been given a chairmanship, I was presiding over a committee, and in politics, it's a big thing. You know, you go to the chairman dinners, the lunches, you're on the inside technically. And I remember I just got it in 2019, and then the AJC put out a article about the former Speaker of the House, and uh where he had tweaked a hundred-year law back in, I think it was 2005, and allowed attorneys who are elected in the House, the Senate to use continuances all year long, not just during sessions, so they could just push off a court case just by sending a simple letter saying, I'm busy doing the people's business. And I remember there was this one story about this young girl, she was 11 years old, got raped, and had a had a day in court and it was 10 years. And it hit me because me and my wife, we had just had Madison at first, and she was like six months old then, and she's daddy's girl. The moment she was born, it's like, I mean, I lived life with a passion and conviction, but now I lived it with a thousand times more conviction and passion because I knew to protect her to fight for for the next generation. And I remember it was tough. I went in to talk to him because I couldn't sleep for a few days, and I'm like, I've got to call him out, or at least talk to him for him to explain why he did this. And I remember I walked in, and I and I know in politics, if you call somebody out like the speaker of the house, there's retribution times a thousand, unless they go down. And I remember I walked in, I told him, I said, you know, Mr. Speaker, I love you, Jesus loves you. Thank you for my chairmanship, all my committees. But, you know, we all run for politics, all of us, in a roundabout way, saying, hey, I'm gonna fight for you and your families as if you're my own. And how can I stay silent when all these victims, and it wasn't just her, I mean, he was protecting, you know, pedophiles, rapists, domestic abusers, and running cases 10 to 15 years old. And I remember I told him, I was like, Who am I as a man to stay silent? You know, and not speak up. I'm a dad. And I said, if that was my girl, I promise you I'll do something about it. And I said, and I gotta be honest, you know, if that was my girl, 10 years, no damn court, I'm gonna kill you and the rapists. I mean, I'm just saying, as a dad, like that's not justice, that's not America, that's not the court systems being handled right. And I said, and I I have to call you out. And I remember I did call him out and call for him to resign, and then he did not go down. He stripped me of my chairmanship, my committees, and then 22. He spent almost exactly a million dollars on my re-election. I I was actually not here serving the Green Brays. I was called up, I was gone for 12 weeks. My wife is pregnant with her second child, Miles, and I gave her a power of attorney. She signed me up, and I came back a week a week before the election, and we won 60-40 in a new redrawn district against the majority caucus chair. So I think I have a track record. You don't have to always agree with me on everything. I mean, a lot of us don't agree 100% of the time. Me and my wife don't agree 100% of the time, but you know, I don't live for the title, I don't live for my next re-election. I always try to be a voice for others, fight, do the right thing. And if God wants me in office and the voters, they're gonna put me there. And um I think I think that that's the core of who I am. I love doing the right thing, and I have it's in my DNA and it's in my blood. I love fighting, I love doing the right thing, and I love being a fighter for people.

SPEAKER_00 31:10

No, uh it's so well said. And I just wanted to close with a few rapid fire things so people can know a little bit more about David Clark. Definitely fire away. All right, what's your favorite place to visit in Georgia?

SPEAKER_01 31:22

Man, I've I've been traveling all over Georgia um and I'm loving the state, but I'd say St. Simon's. My mom uh grew up a number of her years there on the island, and we've gone back for years. My grandma would go back and get a condo for a month, and we'd go uh take turns, all the grandchildren spend time with her. So I love St. Simon's.

SPEAKER_00 31:40

All right. Are you reading any good books or listening to any good podcasts? Of course, Mike Podcast. You don't have to say that one, but any others.

SPEAKER_01 31:47

Your podcast, definitely. Um I'm I'm not listening to too much podcasts and books right now. I'm just campaigning six days a week at least. Um, but I'll say a book it's probably one of my favorite books, is The Comeback by Louis Giglio. And uh the short part of it, and it's just an amazing book. If you've not read it, go read it. But it talks about when God takes us through crazy trials, life sometimes doesn't seem fair, but God takes us through those trials because we're strong enough to handle it so we can help literally save the life of another who can't. And so I always remember, you know, that book and uh love it just inspires me that no matter what happens in life, you know, that God can use it to help save others. And like L Linda Fisher, I mean her story, it's like I mean it's just heartbreaking. I mean, and do you want to cry when she's telling you the story about losing her daughter and all that and what she went through, but how God's using her, you know, to save other people's lives who can't can't handle the tragedy of what something like she went through. So, anyways, I love the book. The comeback by Louis Giglio is just absolutely amazing.

SPEAKER_00 32:44

Hmm. I'm gonna have to read that. I've never read that. What's your personal motto or guiding principle? I think you've shared a bunch already, but if you got one, share it with the audience.

SPEAKER_01 32:54

I would just say the the quote I mentioned, I I mean, I love it. Um, you know, that there's no limit to how high a man can go as long as he doesn't mind who gets the credit. And I think that's what life's about. It's you know, your destiny is secure if you love your God, love others, do the right thing, and leave the rest, you know, to him. So I love that quote.

SPEAKER_00 33:11

No, that's a that's so powerful. All right. What kind of breakfast would you order? I know everybody talks about the Waffle House order, but I don't feel like you eat at Waffle House. Do you eat at Waffle House?

SPEAKER_01 33:22

Oh, I do. All right. I love Waffle House sometimes. It's amazing. Even though after sometimes your stomach does doesn't always feel so great. But breakfast, I love bacon, so if there's bacon there, I'm good. I'm in, I'm in. I can eat all the bacon.

SPEAKER_00 33:37

All right. And then you've got a bunch of kids, younger side in the state of Georgia. Where do you and your wife like? Don't like out yourself of all your favorite spots because everybody's gonna want to go there, but where do you like to take your kids to unwind other than church? Where do you guys go and hang out?

SPEAKER_01 33:53

Well, right now when you have kids seven, three, and one, and the three and one year old are boys and the tornadoes, we don't go out too much as a family. We usually we go pick up, say, Chick-fil-A and we'll go to the park. Um, because the kids love to go play and and and do that. But if me and my wife go out usually bare bones right there in Buford. Yeah. Gigi and Buddy owned, and we we love that place. Love the steak, the food, the uh environment. It's just amazing.

SPEAKER_00 34:17

Oh, that's awesome. All right, in closing, I don't always get a microphone. I don't know if you have anybody you want to thank or want to lift up and just say thank you for allowing you to to continue to serve. I'm assuming your beautiful wife, but anyone else, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 34:30

Probably just my wife and then just everyone who've come through my life at times. I mean, some people who would not always be, you know, some big person, big name, but I think there's just the stories that inspire you, that grow you, that fire you up. And I mean, I'll say you, Rachel and Jason. No, it I mean, I'll say in just the last year, a little over a year of us knowing each other, just you know, it lights a fire in you. Just those stories of of fighting for people. And and doesn't have because we worked on the orthotics, prosthetics, it does a lot more, it's a rippling effect. And I'll say just traveling Georgia, I mean just meeting people who are crushed under the burden of living, wages, you know, property tax, you know, taxes, just everything that they're going through, and it just fires me up. So it's it's so many people. But uh definitely my wife, she's uh 100% behind me. She's actually sometimes get more more passionate than me. I gotta tell her, hey, calm down a little bit. We got we got a long campaign to go, you know, one step step at a time. But uh, but no, thank you for having me on the podcast. I loved it and look forward to getting this legislation the rest of it through.

SPEAKER_00 35:31

Well, thank you so much for fighting for our patience. Um, listeners, if you're interested in donating or supporting David's campaign, it's all in the description box below. You know, it takes everyone to show up on election day, my May 19th. But many of you might not know it is costly to run a campaign. So if you're interested in donating, please consider donating. It will be all attached on our Instagram account. And also, David is a man of prayer. So if you are a person of prayer, pray for him. Uh, continue to support him and his wife as they are sticking their necks out, believing that their next is to serve at a statewide position, and we're grateful for their decision to serve. Thanks for listening. Were you inspired or challenged today? If so, connect with us. Follow the links in the description box below. We want to hear from you. Until next time, thanks for listening to the Alliance Goldigger podcast.