GOP Endorsements for Oct. 12

The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish has endorsed Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone for Governor in the Oct. 12 primary.  The move was a surprise because the state GOP endorsed both Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham (R-Ado), the two major Republican candidates running to replace Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Parish Republican chairman Woody Jenkins said both Rispone and Abraham are fine candidates but it is time for Republican voters to make a choice.  

“Here in Baton Rouge, we know Eddie Rispone and have watched him grow from a young man in humble circumstances to one of the most outstanding business leaders in Louisiana.  We have questioned him in great detail on policy issues, and he is solidly conservative and pro-family on all major issues.  However, he is also a man with a lot of heart, a person who first and foremost cares about people and the real life consequences of our policy decisions.  He is not a politician and doesn’t weigh everything to be politically correct, but we believe four years from now we will all be very happy that we elected Eddie Rispone as our governor.”

Eddie Rispone’s grandfather Joe Rispone arrived from Sicily and passed through Ellis Island on Sept. 12, 1912, and eventually settled in the Florida parishes of Louisiana. Joe was the first Rispone, and everyone in the world by that name is descended from him.  

As a baby, Joe was abandoned in a basket in front of the home of a midwife in Sicily.  When she discovered the basket and pulled back the cover, the baby opened his arms wide to her, and she exclaimed, “risponde,” meaning he responds or he is alive.  She gave him the last name of Rispone, a name otherwise unknown in Italy.

Eddie Rispone’s father Sam and his mother, Rosalie Gulino, moved from Amite to Baton Rouge in 1940, so Sam could work for a contractor at Kaiser Aluminum. He later got a job at Standard Oil.  The family built a house on the corner of Hollywood and St. Dorothy Street.  

Sam and Rosalie raised their seven children, including Eddie in that 1,000 square foot home. By 15, Eddie was working construction with his oldest brother Sammy.  Eddie attended Redemptorist High, which was just a few blocks away, and he was an All-State football player for the Wolves.  He graduated in 1967.  He became a committed Christian.

In 1989, Eddie and his brother Jerry started ISC Contractors, a specialty contracting firm.  It grew and became very successful, grossing hundreds of millions of dollars a year.  Today, Rispone has 3,000 employees.

“In Baton Rouge, we know Eddie Rispone as a very successful businessman but an even better man.  He gives of himself at every turn.  He has been one of our most generous citizens in giving to worthy causes but he also gives what is most valuable — his time,” Jenkins said.

“In the governor’s race, we feel Eddie Rispone is best positioned to defeat the incumbent governor.  Unfortunately, Congressman Abraham, whom we all admire, has been hurt by the constant negative attacks launched by the Edwards campaign. In the runoff, we fear his limited resources would have to be spent in defending himself instead of selling his positive message. On the other hand, Eddie Rispone has never been in politics and has a stellar record in business.  There is very little to attack, although the opposition can of course make up anything. When Sunday, Oct. 13 arrives, Eddie Rispone will have the resources to immediately sell his positive plan for Louisiana and contrast it will the Edwards administration record.”

The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish is the largest parish party in the state in turning out Republican voters.  More Republicans actually vote in the parish than in any other.

The party also made the following endorsements:

•Lt. Governor – Billy Nungesser

•Secretary of State – Kyle Ardoin

• Attorney General – Jeff Landry

•State Treasurer – John Schroder

•Agriculture Commissioner – Mike Strain

•Insurance Commissioner – Tim Temple

•Sheriff – Sid Gautreaux

•Assessor – Brian Wilson

•Clerk of Court – Doug Welborn

•Coroner – Dr. Beau Clark

•District Judge – Div. A – Beau Brock

•District Judge – Div. C – Beau Higginbotham

•District Judge – Div. L – Trae Welch

•Board of Elementary and Secondary Education – Greg Spiers

•Senate Dist. 6 – Bodi White

•Senate Dist. 16 – Franklin Foil

•House Dist. 66 – Rick Edmonds

•House Dist. 68 – Scott Mc-Knight

•House Dist. 69 – Paula Davis

•House Dist. 70 – Michael DiResto

Additional Endorsements

The Central City News concurs in the endorsements of the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish. We also recommend three additional candidates:

Jim Donelon – Insurance Commissioner – A man of great character who has restored integrity to the office after years of problems. He is also an ardent conservative and pro-life advocate. He is well qualified to serve in any high office.

In the race for State Senate District 13 – Rep. Rogers Pope, a proven conservative,  and Edith Carlin who is also well qualified.