Eddie Rispone

Edward Lee "Eddie" Rispone (Co-founder of Industrial Specialty Contractors)
Born	January 21, 1949 Place of birth missing Resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Political Party	Republican gubernatorial candidate in Louisiana, 2019
Spouse	(1) Phyllis Rispone (died of cancer) (2) Linda Lemoine Rispone Children: Seven children of both Eddie and Linda Rispone

Edward Lee Rispone, known as Eddie Rispone(pronounced RISPONY) (born January 21, 1949), a businessman from the capital city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who is the Republican choice to face Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, in the gubernatorial runoff election set for for November 16, 2019. In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 12, 2019, he edged out fellow Republican U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham of Louisiana's 5th congressional district, a medical doctor from Richland Parish. Edwards polled exactly 626,000 (47 percent) in the primary to Rispone's 368,318 (27 percent), and Abraham's 317,115 (24 percent).

Republican state Senator Sharon Hewitt of Slidell in St. Tammany Parish had indicated that she was considering a gubernatorial campaign too but chose to run instead for the state Senate and potentially to seek to succeed Moderate Republican John Alario as the state Senate President. Hewitt vowed support for either Rispone or Abraham in the primary.

Rispoone and his brother in the late 1980s founded Industrial Specialty Contractors, which has grown into one of the largest such firms in the nation. The firm is a 15-time national award winner and has also received numerous local awards of excellence. Rispone has been since 1978 a promoter of workforce development. “Training is key to our community and to our companies. The better prepared our workforce is, the better our local companies perform," he said.

In 2014, Rispone was a prime mover behind the failed effort to incorporate the St. George community in East Baton Rouge Parish. The incorporation, however, was approved five years later in the same election in which Rispone was placed in a runoff with Edwards. Supporters ofr incorporation polled 17,422 votes (54 percent) to 14,871 (46 percent).

In January 2018, Rispone established a non-profit organization called Baton Rouge Families First, which seeks to empower lower and middle-income families through the encouragement of "education reform, promoting quality jobs through proactive economic development" and support for "initiatives that strengthen the family structure.” The group was formed in direct challenge to another organization, Together Baton Rouge, a broad-based community organization that proposes public policies to assist the low-income population. Rispone said that Together Baton Rouge has failed to emphasize morals, virtues, independence, and family life—the bedrock of a sound society. Instead it seems to many Together Baton Rouge would rather divide the city using socialist, radical tactics and pushing a national agenda.”

Rispone is reportedly prepared to spend at least $5 million, possibly $8 million, from his personal fortune to make the race. Though he lacks broad name recognition statewide, Rispone can take comfort that several previous governors, including John J. McKeithen, Buddy Roemer, Mike Foster, and even John Bel Edwards, entered their races in 1963, 1995, 1987, and 2015, respectively, without early name recognition. He could use the slogan, "Eddie Is Ready", which was formerly employed by Eddie Sapir, a New Orleans judge and city council member. Journalist Stephen Sabludowsky wrote in analysis:

Might Rispone destroy Louisiana tradition and do a Trump pole-vault over the government-first service pit?

Perhaps. It won’t be easy. First, there will be competition from other Republicans. Also, John Bel Edwards is no pushover. According to Bernie Pinsonat’s recent poll, the current governor enjoys a 60 percent favorable score, despite having served during the worst budgetary meltdowns in decades and despite the other party hovering over, smelling blood.

Nonetheless, Eddie is ready, without government baggage and all.

In an appearance in Iowa, Louisiana, on June 15, 2019, before the Lake Charles-based Calcasieu Parish Republican Executive Committee, Rispone claimed that his business background will prove helpful in revitalizing the economy. He said that voters want Louisiana "to reach its full potential. They're tired of out-migration, taxes and not getting what they paid for … We need to do something totally different."

The Republican State Executive Committee is expected to endorse a single candidate in the race against Edwards and to recommend that the unendorsed Republican candidate withdraw from the race. In a poll released by Representative Ralph Abraham, Rispone was running a distant third in the tabulation; the survey indicated a potential second race between Edwards, who tops the poll, and Abraham.

On June 18, 2019, Rispone was asked on The Moon Griffon Show why he has not made many public appearances in his campaign considering that he lacks the vital name recognition needed to win. Rispone replied that he has been actively campaigning and believes that his appearances thus far have been effective.Apparently, the state media has ignored Rispone's candidacy.

In July 2019, Rispone aired an advertisement highly critical of leftist demonstrators in New Orleans who organized city-supported protests against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office at 1250 Poydras Streeet.

In mid-September, Rispone launched a controversial ad in which he accuses opponent Ralph Abraham of congressional disloyalty to President Trump. Moon Griffon voiced immediate opposition to the Rispone advertising and endorsed Abraham as his preference for governor. Griffon said that Abraham supporters dissuade by Rispone's ad could well support the Democrat John Bel Edwards.

On the eve of the primary, U.S. President Donald Trump held a rally in Lake Charles to implore Louisiana Republicans to show up at the polls on October 12. Trump did not specifically endorse a candidate, but he said either Abraham or Rispone would be acceptable.

References

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