Nearly 700 patrons at the Dining by Design fundraiser Sunday night at L’Auberge Casino broke into a standing ovation when Chef John Folse announced that his close friend, businessman Eddie Rispone, has definitely decided to run for governor in 2019.
Rispone, who was by Folse’s side during the surprise announcement, smiled, but didn’t actually say anything to confirm or dispel what the audience had just heard.
While those in attendance have been buzzing all day about the Rispone run, the supposed candidate himself says Folse, perhaps caught up in the enthusiasm of the moment, may have spoken out of turn.
“Telling your friend you are going to run and telling the public you are going to run are two different things,” Rispone said, when asked if, in fact, he has made up his mind to challenge Gov. John Bel Edwards next fall. “What (John) meant to say was that he is excited that I am considering running for governor and am very serious about it.”
It’s only been three days since Rispone told LaPolitics he has formed an exploratory committee and is strongly considering a run, so it seemed a little unlikely that he would have decided so soon—and let someone else steal his thunder.
But at this point, it’s also clear the co-founder and owner of ISC Constructors is leaning in that direction.
In just the past week, Rispone says he has been overwhelmed by the calls of support he has received—not only from his home base of Baton Rouge but from all over the state.
“People are frustrated and they want someone who is not afraid to lead and get things done,” he says. Rispone says he will decide in the next month or two whether to enter the race.
Dining by Design is a fundraiser to support the Cypress Springs Mercedarian Prayer Center. Folse hosts and helps organize the annual event, and Rispone is a major sponsor.
