Known best by the Capitol class as a soft-spoken, influential donor and philanthropist, Eddie Rispone may soon add gubernatorial candidate to his portfolio. Rispone, a Republican, told LaPolitics in an interview last week that he has already formed an exploratory committee for the 2019 showdown that will feature the re-election bid of Gov. John Bel Edwards. “I’m thinking about running and didn’t want any rumors out there,” said Rispone when asked about the creation of his committee. “I want to see what kind of support there is out there before I make up my mind. I’ve been thinking about it for quite a while.” The founder of ISC Constructors added he would be willing to put his personal resources behind a campaign. “That’s the big difference between me and others who could do this,” he said. “But it hasn’t always been that way.”
Rispone said he grew up in a 1,200-square-foot home in north Baton Rouge alongside five siblings, all sharing one bathroom. The life experiences that upbringing yielded, Rispone said, made him realize the true value of an education. That’s little surprise to those who know Rispone’s policy interests, which tend to focus solely on or eventually point back to education. “I’m not going to bash the governor. I’m just not,” said the man who serves as chairman of the Louisiana Federation for Children. “But I’ve been really frustrated over the past two years, especially after a track record of moving the needle prior to that.”
As for when he’ll make a final decision and who has been tapped for his exploratory committee, Rispone said more details would be forthcoming. So far, no one has announced for the contest aside from the governor. The maybe candidates include Sen. John Kennedy, Attorney General Jeff Landry, Congressman Ralph Abraham, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt and Stephen Waguespack, the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
— Former Lt. Gov. Jimmy Fitzmorris will be the subject of a new documentary from WLAE-TV. It is being produced in partnership with Jeff Crouere, the longtime host of “Ringside Politics With A Punch.” It features extensive interviews with former Gov. Edwin Edwards, former Secretary of State Jim Brown, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Fitzmorris himself. According to Crouere, a premiere event will be scheduled this fall in New Orleans. The program is set to air on WLAE on Nov. 15, which also happens to be Fitzmorris’ 97th birthday.
They Said It: “It makes me realize how much I don’t like my army cot in D.C.” Congressman Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, on being home for the August recess, on Talk 107.3
They Said It (R.I.P. Edition): “Thanks for teaching us a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T.” State Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, on the death of Aretha Franklin, on Twitter.
Jeremy Alford publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com. Follow him on Twitter, or on Facebook. He can be reached at JJA@LaPolitics.com.
