Changes

'''Edward Lee Rispone''', known as '''Eddie Rispone''' (born January 21, 1949),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/eddie-rispone/e720917170998|title=Eddie Risone|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=December 8, 2018}}</ref> a [[business]]man from the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]], is one of two [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Governor|gubernatorial]] candidates currently seeking to unseat [[Louisiana]] [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]], a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], in the nonpartisan blanket [[primary]] election scheduled for November 16, 2019. Also in the race as of December 8, 2018, is [[U.S. Representative]] [[Ralph Abraham]] of Louisiana's 5th congressional district. Republican state Senator Sharon Hewitt of Slidell in St. Tammany Parish, like Rispone a [[conservative]], is waiting in the wings as a potential gubernatorial candidate.

'''Edward Lee Rispone''', known as '''Eddie Rispone''' (born January 21, 1949),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/eddie-rispone/e720917170998|title=Eddie Risone|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=December 8, 2018}}</ref> a [[business]]man from the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]], is one of two [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Governor|gubernatorial]] candidates currently seeking to unseat [[Louisiana]] [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]], a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], in the nonpartisan blanket [[primary]] election scheduled for November 16, 2019. Also in the race as of December 8, 2018, is [[U.S. Representative]] [[Ralph Abraham]] of Louisiana's 5th congressional district. Republican state Senator Sharon Hewitt of Slidell in St. Tammany Parish, like Rispone a [[conservative]], is waiting in the wings as a potential gubernatorial candidate.

With a brother, Rispone in the late 1980s he 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.<ref name=asg>{{cite web|url=https://www.inregister.com/article/eddie-rispone-a-person-of-character|title=Eddie Rispone -- a person of character|publisher=Inregister.com|author=Ashley Sexton Gordon

With a brother, Rispone in the late 1980s he 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.<ref name=asg>{{cite web|url=https://www.inregister.com/article/eddie-rispone-a-person-of-character|title=Eddie Rispone -- a person of character|publisher=Inregister.com|author=Ashley Sexton Gordon|accessdate=December 8, 2018}}</ref>

accessdate=December 8, 2018}}</ref>  

 

 

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.”<ref name=breport>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessreport.com/article/eddie-rispone-creates-nonprofit-take-together-baton-rouge|title=Eddie Rispone creates nonprofit to take on Together Baton Rouge|author=Stephanie Riegel|date=January 22, 2018|accessdate=Dercember 10, 2018}}</ref>

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]], [[Mike Foster]], and even John Bel Edwards, entered their races in 1963, 1995, 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.<ref name=buzz>{{cite web|url=https://www.bayoubuzz.com/bb/state-of-louisiana/louisiana-elections/item/1063684-eddie-rispone-s-ready-for-governor-are-louisiana-voters|title=Eddie Rispone's Ready for Governor, are Louisiana voters?|publisher=Bayoubuzz.com|author=Stephen Sabludowsky|date=December 5, 2018|accessdate=December 8, 2018}}</ref> Journalist Stephen Sabludowsky wrote in analysis:

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]], [[Mike Foster]], and even John Bel Edwards, entered their races in 1963, 1995, 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.<ref name=buzz>{{cite web|url=https://www.bayoubuzz.com/bb/state-of-louisiana/louisiana-elections/item/1063684-eddie-rispone-s-ready-for-governor-are-louisiana-voters|title=Eddie Rispone's Ready for Governor, are Louisiana voters?|publisher=Bayoubuzz.com|author=Stephen Sabludowsky|date=December 5, 2018|accessdate=December 8, 2018}}</ref> Journalist Stephen Sabludowsky wrote in analysis:

[[Category:Politicians]]

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[[Category:Republicans]]

[[Category:Republicans]]