Maness resigned his elected position as a member of the St. Tammany Republican Parish Executive Committee and left the Republican Party because he couldn’t support Rispone
This afternoon, in a letter provided to The Advocate’s Sam Karlin, former Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Rob Maness, a prominent Louisiana Republican, announced that he is leaving the Republican Party rather than support Eddie Rispone, writing “Mr. Rispone represents to me everything that is wrong with politics in our state.”
Until leaving the Republican Party today and resigning his position, Maness was an elected member of the St. Tammany Parish Republican Executive Committee.
According to his letter, Maness’ refusal to support Rispone stems from the fact that “Rispone is closely aligned with businessman Mr. Lane Grigsby, so much so that he calls him a mentor and the closest of friends”
Maness writes Grigsby and Rispone are “responsible” for the “failing education system” and says “Grigsby openly bragged in the media today about trying to illegally influence an election in Baton Rouge with his power and money.” [Read more about Mr. Grigsby’s offer to give favors to Rep. Franklin Foil in exchange for dropping out of a State Senate race HERE.]
Maness says in his letter that “this is not an easy decision” but “it is my duty to oppose illegal activities and corruption.”
Last month it was announced that the U.S. Department of Justice was suing Lane Grigsby for claiming a $750,000 tax refund they were not entitled to.
See below for a comment from the Edwards campaign and read Mr. Maness’ full letter HERE.
“It doesn’t matter what party you’re a member of, Eddie Rispone’s political ‘mentor’ Lane Grigsby’s illegal attempts to bribe and bully elected officials have no place in our government. Men like Lane Grigsby and Eddie Rispone, who attempt to buy politicians and elected offices whole cloth, are not fit to run the state of Louisiana. Eddie Rispone thinks he can use his money to make government work for special interests like him at the expense of working people. But Louisianans know that Phony Rispone has no business being governor. Voters want to keep moving forward toward a brighter future under Governor Edwards,” said Eric Holl, spokesman for John Bel for Louisiana.
