Spotted at Winston's Grille in Raleigh having dinner on Monday with presidential candidate Newt Gingrich was Raleigh businessman Art Pope.
Pope, a major GOP contributor, confirmed he had dinner with Gingrich, but said it doesn't mean he was backing the former House speaker.
“I am not endorsing,” Pope said. “I am staying neutral in the presidential primary.”
Pope declined to discuss the specifics of the conversation, other than to say there was general talk about the convention platform and the direction of the party in the fall. Gingrich and Pope were part of a small group that also included businessman Bob Luddy, and attorney Tom Farr.