Donald Trump rallies in Monroe for Eddie Rispone in Louisiana governor's race

Greg Hilburn
The News Star
President Trump held a rally at the Monroe Civic Center in support of Louisiana governor candidate Eddie Rispone ahead of the upcoming run-off election on Nov. 6 in Monroe, La.

MONROE - President Donald Trump came to Louisiana to give Republican businessman Eddie Rispone a boost Wednesday in his bid to unseat Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, but he also energized the crowd talking about LSU football and the ongoing impeachment inquiry.

Trump said he wants to energize voters to cast ballots for the Nov. 16 election during the early voting period that goes through Saturday.

"I'm here for early voting; that's how much I like Eddie," Trump said during a rally at the Monroe Civic Center. "I'm thrilled to be back (in Louisiana). It's been an incredible state for Trump."

A standing-room-only crowd of 10,000 packed the Civic Center with another 7,800 outside the arena, according to the Louisiana Republican Party.

"Vote early that way you can watch football games," he said. "By the way, this Saturday I'm going to be at a certain game (as the crowd chanted LSU, LSU, LSU).  I hear you have a great quarterback; we're going to see."

Trump said he will attend the LSU-Alabama football game in Alabama Saturday.

The president attacked Edwards.

"You're going out to replace a radical, liberal democrat," Trump said. "John Bel Edwards has not done a good job. You're going to have great new Republican, a tremendously successful man Eddie Rispone."

Earlier Wednesday Edwards tried to counter the Trump bump with his own rally in Monroe.

Edwards told his crowd he expected Trump to "say some bad things about me tonight," but dismissed it as partisan politics, saying he has worked with the president and will continue to do so.

"The president is going to do what the party asks of him," Edwards said. "Eddie Rispone is a bad candidate; that's why he needs the president to come in and prop him up."

Trump also turned his attacks on Democrats in Congress like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, calling the House's impeachment inquiry a hoax.

"Democrats must be accountable for their hoaxes and crimes," he said. "(They've) Launched deranged impeachment witch hunt. It's all a hoax.

"Their shameful conduct has created an angry majority."

Trump chose Monroe to court Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham's voters. Abraham finished behind Edwards and Rispone in the Oct. 12 primary race. The two Republicans waged a sometimes fractious campaign.

Abraham traveled to Monroe with Trump to stand with Trump and Rispone.

"He has the backing of Ralph; Ralph is a winner," Trump said. "He's all in for Eddie."

Rispone also thanked Abraham and said, "Louisiana is Trump country."

“We must do better; we’re going to win this race," Abraham said. "Go vote for Eddie. Let’s get this thing done.”

"Louisiana can send the radical left a message they can never ignore" by voting for Rispone, Trump said.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.