WWE's Linda McMahon prepares Senate run

The Hill ^ | 09/14/09 | Aaron Blake

[kingattax]

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) CEO Linda McMahon appears primed to run for Senate in Connecticut and should make an announcement very soon, according to sources with knowledge of her deliberations.

“A decision is imminent, and she will likely make a decision over the next couple of days,” said a Republican strategist. “It will be made sooner rather than later.”

One well-placed source said McMahon is “99 percent” in. Another said the announcement could come as early as Wednesday.

The second source noted that she has done polling on the race and hired consultants Mike Slanker and Patrick Sullivan. She has also brought on former National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesman Ed Patru to help with early communications.

Patru said McMahon hasn’t made a decision yet.

“She is taking into consideration a number of factors, including resources and the time commitment it would take to win,” he said. “She plays to win, so if she gets in, she’s in all the way. She has the capacity to bring considerable resources to the race, and she has an established record.”

McMahon, the wife of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, would throw a big wrench into the race against Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) simply by virtue of her ability to spend potentially tens of millions of dollars of her own money on the race.

The GOP favorite so far is former Rep. Rob Simmons, but former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley is also raising good money for the race, and state Sen. Sam Caligiuiri is also running. Investment banker Peter Schiff has raised more $1 million for his exploratory committee, meaning Simmons could potentially have to overcome two very well-funded opponents.

No stranger to Connecticut Republican politics, McMahon has been an active supporter of GOP causes and politicians. But she has also given to Democrats over the years, including to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in 2006 when it knocked off two Connecticut Republicans in the House.

McMahon has been a top contributor to Gov. Jodi Rell’s (R) campaign and last year was nominated by the governor to the state Board of Education.

[kingattax]

who is going to run for US senate next ? pee wee herman ?

[Dr. Ursus]

I will restore intergity to the Senate!

[Pistolshot]

SMACKDOWN IN THE SENATE!!!!

[wombtotomb]

Al Franken

[gop4lyf]

She couldn’t be any worse than Al Franken. At least she is a Republican...I think.

[kingattax]

[Hegewisch Dupa]

[kingattax]

close...lol

[bmwcyle]

[Doogle]

Linda E. McMahon - Greenwich Mrs. McMahon was appointed to the Board by Gov. M. Jodi Rell in 2009. She is the Chief Executive Officer of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE), headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. She serves on the company’s Board of Directors and oversees the strategic direction of WWE. Mrs. McMahon has spearheaded several community and civic initiatives, including literacy programs and collaborative endeavors to increase voter registration. In October 2004, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Sacred Heart University. Mrs. McMahon earned a B.S. in French from East Carolina University. Her term expires February 2011.

[alloysteel]

There is a certain segment of voters in Massachusetts for whom Linda McMahon may already have a very high recognition factor. And they all may have a strong disposition to place their vote for her. After all, she is showy, and has a bright personality. In that, she is WAY ahead of Senator “Stuart Smalley” of Minnesota.

[84rules]

But she has also given to Democrats over the years, including to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in 2006 when it knocked off two Connecticut Republicans in the House.

Looks like she might be a RINO. There may be a smackdown in the Senate, but it might not be one that we like.

[alloysteel]

Ooops. Connecticut, not Massachusetts. Can’t tell these little bitty states apart.

[jla]

who is going to run for US senate next ? pee wee herman ?

No, PeeWee is in line behind Roland Martin, an effete Hollywood actor and a NASCAR "driver".

[McGruff]

I don't know. She seems to have a checker past.

[Mr. Jazzy]

You are right. She looks like RINO meat walking.

[Dixie Yooper]

Mrs. McMahon earned a B.S. in French from East Carolina University.

She must be quite fluent in the Language of Love. To someone like Barney Frank, that probably won't help her much...

[j_k_l]

She obviously has perfected the McCain/Graham/Snowe/Collins strategy in dealing with the opposition.

[Dr. Ursus]

She seems perfect for the Senate!

[screaminsunshine]

I want Dog The Bounty Hunter.