Nearly 700 patrons at the Dining by Design fundraiser on 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.
A week ago, Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics first reported that Rispone had formed an exploratory committee and was strongly considering a run, adding him to the growing list of potential contenders to make a run against Gov. John Bel Edwards.
But, like millionaire businessman and rumored future gubernatorial candidate Jim Bernhard, Rispone denied he’s committed to running—at least for the moment—when Daily Report caught up with him Monday after the fundraiser.
“Telling your friend you are going to run and telling the public you are going to run are two different things,” Rispone said. “What (John) meant to say was that he is excited that I am considering running for governor and am very serious about it.”
Bernhard also put to rest rumors about his own political pursuits, although his response was more firm.
“I do not plan to run for governor of Louisiana,” Bernhard told Daily Report after it was published that many believed him to be considering a run. “I am not going to run for governor. I will not run.”
