Slamming Foxx, another Republican challenger joins Cook County state’s attorney race

Another contender looking to take down Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has tossed his hat into the ring.

Christopher Pfannkuche, a prosecutor who also sought the office in 2016, officially announced his bid Thursday for the 2020 race.

In a statement, Pfannkuche’s team says he’s jumping in because the office has been “caught in questionable and compromised leadership that has caused law enforcement and the public, at large, to lose confidence in its ability to remain unbiased and to keep its residents safe.”

Pfannkuche filed his statement of organization in July. Also vying to replace Foxx are Bill Conway, a Democrat, and former Cook County Judge Pat O’Brien, who has decided to run against Foxx as a Republican. Others have said they’re considering a run.

Foxx has been criticized for months over her handling of the Jussie Smollett case. Initially, the state’s attorney recused herself from the case about a month after the actor alleged he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in late January.

At the time, a spokesman for Foxx cited conversations she’d had with one of Smollett’s relatives about the incident as the reason for her recusal.

Accused of making a false report to police, Smollett was indicted in March on 16 counts of disorderly conduct. Weeks later, the state’s attorney’s office abruptly dropped the charges, sparking outrage and confusion.

Foxx beat Pfannkuche in 2016, 72.1% to 27.9%.

But he’s ready for a rematch, touting himself as a “life-long prosecutor, teacher and public servant.”

“Pfannkuche is offering actionable solutions, delivered in real time, to ‘right the wrongs’ of the Office and bring back confidence and trust for all Cook County residents,” the statement reads in part.