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Line 14: − 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2019/04/11/breaking-sen-hewitt-wont-run-governor/3438834002/|title=Sen. Hewitt won't run for Louisiana governor 'for now'|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=April 11, 2019|accessdate=April 12, 2019}}</ref>+ + − 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.<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> + + + − 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>+ − + Line 30:
Line 33: − 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanpress.com/news/local/abraham-top-choice-in-gop-straw-poll/article_e1fa7016-3e3a-59d4-9140-6b0c9ca19894.html|title=Abraham top choice in GOP straw poll|author=John Guidroz|publisher=''Lake Charles American Press''|date=June 16, 2019|accessdate=June 18, 2019}}</ref>+ + + − + − + − +
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'''Edward Lee Rispone''', known as '''Eddie Rispone'''(pronounced RISPONY) (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> is a [[business]]man from the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]], who is the [[Republican Party|Republican]] choice against [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]], a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], in the [[Governor|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 (46.6 percent) in the primary to Rispone's 368,318 (27.4 percent), and Abraham's 317,115 (23.6 percent). Voter turnout was just 45.3 percent.<ref name=primaryreturns>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref>
'''Edward Lee Rispone''', known as '''Eddie Rispone'''(pronounced RISPONY) (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> is a [[business]]man from the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]], who is the [[Republican Party|Republican]] choice against [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]], a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], in the [[Governor|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 (46.6 percent) in the primary to Rispone's 368,318 (27.4 percent), and Abraham's 317,115 (23.6 percent). Voter turnout was just 45.3 percent.<ref name=primaryreturns>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref>
==Background==
Rispone 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.<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>
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>
==Political life==
In 2014, Rispone was a prime mover behind the failed effort to incorporate the St. George community in East Baton Rouge Parish.<ref name=breport/> 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).<ref name=primaryreturns/>
In 2014, Rispone was a prime mover behind the failed effort to incorporate the St. George community in East Baton Rouge Parish.<ref name=breport/> 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).<ref name=primaryreturns/>
Republican state Senator Sharon Hewitt of Slidell in St. Tammany Parish had indicated that she too was considering a gubernatorial campaign but chose to run instead for reelection to 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2019/04/11/breaking-sen-hewitt-wont-run-governor/3438834002/|title=Sen. Hewitt won't run for Louisiana governor 'for now'|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=April 11, 2019|accessdate=April 12, 2019}}</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]], [[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.<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 said that he was prepared to spend at least $5 million, possibly $8 million, from his personal fortune to make the gubernatorial 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.<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:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Might Rispone destroy Louisiana tradition and do a [[Donald Trump|Trump]] pole-vault over the government-first service pit?
Might Rispone destroy Louisiana tradition and do a [[Donald Trump|Trump]] pole-vault over the government-first service pit?
Nonetheless, Eddie is ready, without government baggage and all.<ref name=buzz/></blockquote>
Nonetheless, Eddie is ready, without government baggage and all.<ref name=buzz/></blockquote>
==Campaign events==
On June 15, 2019, in an appearance in Iowa, Louisiana, before the [[Lake Charles]]-based Calcasieu Parish Republican Executive Committee, Rispone claimed that his business background would 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanpress.com/news/local/abraham-top-choice-in-gop-straw-poll/article_e1fa7016-3e3a-59d4-9140-6b0c9ca19894.html|title=Abraham top choice in GOP straw poll|author=John Guidroz|publisher=''Lake Charles American Press''|date=June 16, 2019|accessdate=June 18, 2019}}</ref>
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.
The Republican State Executive Committee was initially 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. Instead, Rispone outpolled Abraham, 27 to 24 percent, to gain the runoff berth.
On June 18, 2019, Rispone was asked on ''[[Moon Griffon|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.<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]],'' June 18, 2019.</ref>Apparently, the state media has ignored Rispone's candidacy.
On June 18, 2019, Rispone was asked on ''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]]'' why he has not yet made many public appearances in his campaign considering that he lacks the name recognition needed to win. Rispone replied that he has been actively campaigning and believes that his appearances thus far have been effective.<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]],'' June 18, 2019.</ref>Apparently, the state media initially 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehayride.com/2019/07/rispone-fires-both-barrels-at-left-wing-nola-ice-protesters/|title=Rispone Fires Both Barrels At Left-Wing NOLA ICE Protesters|publisher=The Hayride|date=July 19, 2019|accessdate=July 20, 2019}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehayride.com/2019/07/rispone-fires-both-barrels-at-left-wing-nola-ice-protesters/|title=Rispone Fires Both Barrels At Left-Wing NOLA ICE Protesters|publisher=The Hayride|date=July 19, 2019|accessdate=July 20, 2019}}</ref>
In mid-September, Rispone launched a controversial ad in which he accused 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.<ref>''The Moon Griffon Show,'' September 17, 2019.</ref>
In mid-September, Rispone launched a controversial ad in which he accused primary opponent Ralph Abraham of congressional disloyalty to [[U.S. President]] [[Donald 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.<ref>''The Moon Griffon Show,'' September 17, 2019.</ref>
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.
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.