By Illinois Review
On Tuesday, former candidate for Cook County Republican Party Chairman Dr. Eric Wallace issued a statement thanking supporters, including Chicago Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts, who endorsed his candidacy and sent shockwaves across Illinois political circles.
In the one-page letter, shared exclusively with this publication, Dr. Wallace wrote,
“I am deeply grateful to the ward and township committeemen who supported my candidacy for Chairman of Cook County Republicans. Our shared vision for a more competitive political landscape in our state, county, and the city of Chicago is a testament to our unity and commitment.”
Wallace also made a point that he wanted to play a role in helping to rebuild a broken Illinois Republican Party and away from “one-party rule” writing,
“I believe that, together, we can bring substantive change to Cook County wards and townships through candidate training and vetting, voter engagement, and fundraising to support the Republican Party and the communities we serve. I look forward to seeing the transformation of our communities through our hard work as we execute a comprehensive strategy to wrestle Cook County away from one-party rule.”
The former pastor and conservative activist then thanked Ricketts for his support.
“Lastly, I want to thank my friend Todd Ricketts. He understood the need for new blood and vision in the party and was willing to think and move outside the box to help inspire that new vision. As the Ricketts family has brought hope to thousands of Cubs fans like me with a competitive baseball team, you have also brought hope to thousands of grassroots Republicans across the state.”
Although Wallace was not successful during the chairman’s race, he’s determined to keep fighting alongside conservative Republicans, writing,
“Although we may have lost a battle, our determination to make an impact in the party and to be competitive in Cook County and Chicago is stronger than ever. The fight is not over, and we are ready to stand up and be heard.”
Wallace then concluded his letter on a more personal level.
“On a deeply personal note, my wife and I entered the political arena over 15 years ago, driven by our unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ, our Savior. This is not just a political endeavor for us, but a ministry. We are compelled to challenge the Church in general and the Black Church in particular to vote for our values. Our mission is to advance the Kingdom of God through sociopolitical education and engagement rooted in a biblical worldview. We accomplish this mission through our nonprofit Freedom’s Journal Institute for the Study of Faith and Public Policy, including an annual event called the Black Conservatives Summit (BCS). Additionally, we are committed to transforming the lives of people through conservative principles and values we call the R.I.S.E. Principles — Responsible government, Individual liberty, Strong family values, and Economic empowerment.”
In a statement shared exclusively with Illinois Review just one day before the chairman’s election, Ricketts wrote,
“I have known Eric for years and think very highly of him. Illinois Republicans should be excited he is getting more involved, and he will be an asset to the party. That is why I am endorsing him for Chairman of the Cook County Republican Party.”
In 2019, President Donald Trump selected Ricketts to serve as Finance Chairman for Trump Victory. Ricketts was also listed as a co-chair for the Palm Beach fundraiser a few weeks ago that raised a record $50.5 million for President Trump’s presidential campaign.
Illinois Republican Party officials have come under fire for their lack of support for the conservative grassroots base of the party – and for their lack of support for President Trump – the presumptive Republican nominee for President of the United States.
Wallace’s candidacy for chairman and Ricketts’ endorsement inspired conservative candidates statewide – offering a jolt of hope and optimism as Republicans prepare for the most important presidential election in modern history.
