Marlene Ricketts, matriarch of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs, was revealed as the secret anti-Trump donor who helped fund the super Our Principles PAC, reported
The Hill.
Our Principles PAC has run anti-Trump ads in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina totaling more than $4 million, said The Hill. Ricketts contributed $3 million to the super PAC, according to the Federal Election Commission.
The Ricketts family initially backed the short-lived presidential campaign of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, earlier giving $5 million to a super PAC supporting his presidential bid, said The Hill.
"With our nation's progress stalled by politicians who refuse to lead, Americans are rightly frustrated," said a statement on the super
PAC's website. "Our Principles PAC was formed to educate and engage American voters about the men and women who seek our vote, and about the challenging issues they will confront should they get elected."
Our Principles PAC was founded by Katie Packer, the former deputy campaign manager for Mitt Romney's failed 2012 presidential campaign, reported
Politico in January. It started its assault on Trump with negative mailers and radio ads against the Republican frontrunner in Iowa last month.
"Our Principles PAC has focused on conservative principles and ensuring that voters have the necessary information to make a wise decision on Election Day," Packer said then, noted Politico.
Marlene Ricketts is wife of billionaire J. Joe Ricketts, the cofounder of T.D. Ameritrade, noted
Chicago magazine. The Ricketts family purchased a 95 percent interest in the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field in 2009.
Packer told The Hill in January that she disapproved of Right to Rise, the pro-Jeb Bush super PAC, for its focus on his Florida rival Marco Rubio instead of Trump. Bush dropped out of the race after the Republican South Carolina primary this past weekend.
Packer said while she was not a fan of Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, she was more worried about Trump.
"I think they are both very weak candidates for our party," Packer told The Hill. "But the problem with Donald Trump is I think he's downright dangerous and he would basically destroy the Republican Party. If you nominate a guy who abandons all the views we have advocated for the last few decades, then we don't have a party."
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