By Illinois Review
On the eve of the Cook County Republican Central Committee Convention – Dr. Eric Wallace, who just recently announced his intention to challenge incumbent Sean Morrison for Chairman of the Cook County Republican Party – continues to build momentum across the Chicagoland area after securing the endorsement of Chicago Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts late Monday evening.
In a statement issued exclusively to Illinois Review late Tuesday afternoon, 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.
Ricketts’ endorsement of Wallace sent shockwaves throughout Illinois on Tuesday – a move that has caught establishment Republicans by surprise. Illinois Republican Party officials, including Morrison, 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.
Disgraced Chicago Republican Party Chairman Steve Boulton – a close ally and friend of Morisson, is digging in his heels and attacking this publication for reporting that in 2016, he compared Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler – calling the revelations a “smear campaign” as party officials, including state party chairman Don Tracy and Morrison, remain silent – failing to call out Boulton for his despicable comment.
Wallace is widely respected amongst conservatives, and if elected, he’d be the first African American to serve as Chairman of the Cook County Republican Party. Dr. Wallace holds post-graduate degrees in Biblical Studies. A former pastor, Wallace is known as a dynamic speaker and writer and he’s traveled the country talking about faith and public policy. In 2011, Wallace and his wife, Jennifer, founded Freedom’s Journal Institute (FJI) for the Study of Faith and Public Policy, an Illinois-based nonprofit organization designed to “advance the Kingdom of God through socio-political, education and engagement.”
Following Ricketts’ endorsement, Elk Grove Township Republican Chairman and Committeeman Ed Lapinski withdrew his name from the race for chairman – writing in an email late Tuesday,
“Hello my fellow Americans,
Please let this email serve as my withdrawal of candidacy for the County Chair position. I am 110% behind Dr. Eric Wallace and urge anyone who would have voted for me to join in support of him as well.”
Lapinski then ended his email with,
“#MakeIllinoisGreatAgain.”
In addition to earning Ricketts’ support, Wallace is also endorsed by former Republican candidate for governor Max Solomon, 18th Ward Committeeman and Chairman of the Southside GOP Devin Jones and New Trier Township Committeeman Julie Cho.
The Cook County Republican Central Committee Convention is April 17th.
