Linda McMahon

Linda McMahon

Linda McMahon, the chief executive officer of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., announced today she is resigning to run for Senate in her home state of Connecticut. McMahon, a Republican, will look to unseat Democrat Christopher Dodd in the 2010 election. Although not nearly as flamboyant as her husband -- WWE Chairman and ringmaster Vince McMahon -- Linda McMahon is considered the brains behind the brawn. She has been CEO of WWE since 1997 and is respected on Wall Street. She and her husband have been focusing on making over WWE from a raunch-fest to more family-friendly entertainment, albeit a family that likes to throw each other around a ring and talk in double entendres (for more on how the WWE has been repositioning itself, read our Aug. 24 story). Whether the move toward kinder, gentler wrestling was in part motivated by her political aspirations remains to be seen, but it probably won't hurt.

With deep pockets and a fairly established presence in the state, McMahon could be a force in the race. According to the The Hill, a Washington political publication, McMahon's likely opponents for the Republican nomination are former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons and former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley. Interestingly, former Connecticut governor and Sen. Lowell Weicker is on the WWE's board of directors. Inside the WWE, McMahon's exit comes as the company is in the midst of an expansion. Vince McMahon, who will assume his wife's CEO position, indicated last month that he wants to launch a cable network and is also pushing harder to make more movies with his stable of wrestling talent. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. said Wednesday that Linda McMahon has resigned as the company’s chief executive to seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Connecticut Democrat Christopher Dodd.

McMahon’s husband, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, will assume her duties as CEO, the company said in a statement. Linda McMahon, 60, formally announced her candidacy Wednesday morning. She said Washington is “out of control” and Dodd has “lost his way and our trust.” McMahon is up against three other Republicans — former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, state Sen. Sam Caligiuri and former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley. Linda and Vince McMahon, a professional wrestler, announcer and promoter, co-founded WWE together. Linda McMahon has served as CEO since May 1997 and served as the company’s president from May 1993 through June 2000. Vince McMahon has been chairman since 1980.