WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s pick for deputy commerce secretary has withdrawn from consideration.
Todd Ricketts, a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs and son of TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, was unable to resolve conflict-of-interest issues in taking the No. 2 job at the department.
Ricketts says in a statement that he is “deeply honored” that Trump nominated him for the post.
During the presidential campaign, Ricketts helped raise at least $66 million for outside groups called Future 45 and 45 Committee — a nod to Trump as the incoming 45th president.
But before helping Trump, Ricketts belonged to a super political action committee that spent more than any other trying to stop Trump from winning the Republican presidential nomination.
Ricketts’ withdrawal was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.