Ricketts' millions could fuel Senate bid

[Omaha Steve]

Published Friday
August 5, 2005

Ricketts' millions could fuel Senate bid

BY ROBYNN TYSVER


WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

If J. Peter Ricketts runs for the U.S. Senate, he and the wealth he acquired through Ameritrade could shake up the race.

J. Peter Ricketts

Ricketts, son of the founder of Ameritrade and worth at least $218 million, could become the third Republican to enter the 2006 race in hopes of unseating Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said several people active in the Republican Party.

Ricketts, 40, said Thursday he was resigning as chief operating officer of Ameritrade Holding Inc., the Omaha online brokerage. The company said he was leaving to "explore an opportunity in public service."

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