MACON, Ga. — Tommy Sadler owns Tommy's Bakery and Cafe in west Macon.
He says he got calls from Donald Trump's campaign but say they didn't think they were real.
"A text came through and it was a guy from the Trump campaign and I was like, 'This must be a scam,'" Sadler says. "I got another text from the chairman of the county GOP he said they're gonna be calling me to speak."
He says he called the number back and told them he would love to speak.
He says when they asked him to speak at JD Vance's Macon rally, Sadler says he was shocked and honored. They could have picked any business owner, and he didn't know why he was chosen.
Sadler says he plans to talk about how small business owners are struggling.
He says he will talk about "the struggles that we face, trying to make it on a day to day."
He says pay is higher, taxes are higher and prices on goods are higher.
"We need help," Sadler said. "We need help drastically. It's a war out here - it's a battle to come in and open these doors every day and be profitable."
Sadler says he hopes he can be the voice of the people.
"I hope I represent most small business as well because we're all in it together regardless of what party you represent," Sadler said. "And you know this right now, everybody's hurt. I talk to business owners every day, especially restaurant owners, and we're all just struggling."
Sadler says the best way people can help with high taxes and prices is to go out and vote.