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Linda McMahon's Worth Millions But That's the Norm in Congress

Nowadays, being rich, even mega-rich, isn't unusual for folks who serve in the nation's capital.

Her opponents make much of 's wealth in her bid to become the next junior senator from Connecticut. But a review by the Connecticut Mirror of campaign finance documents of U.S senators and representatives shows that being a millionaire is pretty much the norm these days in Washington D.C.

McMahon and her husband could be worth as much as $350 million but others running for Congress, including and , are also millionaires. And some of Connecticut's sitting representatives and senators also are in the millionaire club, including Sen. , a Democrat, and Joseph Lieberman, an Independent and former Democrat.

McMahon in the last election was roundly criticized for spending millions of her own money to win a seat in the Senate. She was defeated by Blumenthal. She is currently vying to win the seat being vacated by Lieberman, who is not seeking re-election.

If elected, McMahon could well become the Senate's richest member, a spot now held by Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry, who is worth about $281 million, the Mirror reports. 

paul gilmet June 18, 2012 at 09:57 pm
Of course. How else will the 1% rule the earth. It's easier if you are the ones making the rules for the other 99%. Some we will be a nation of squandering poor and the other 1%, Like China!
Phil Stuckert June 18, 2012 at 11:04 pm
I mean, Christopher Shays is worth between $1 million and $5 million. Linda McMahon is between $90-350 million. I suppose they are both millionaires, but McMahon is between 18 and 90 times more valuable than Shays (depending on where specifically in their ranges they fall). Not exactly in the same class, eh?
The reason I make this distinction is this: Linda McMahon has enough money to try to buy a senatorial election. Christopher Shays does not. If she wins this primary despite her lack of anything worthy of senate qualifications, the roll of money in politics will become pretty damn obvious. I hope for the sake of the political process Christopher Shays can pull this off.
Silver fox June 18, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Don't forget Rosa Delauro he's worth millions
WR June 19, 2012 at 12:08 am
Let us also not forget John Kerry, the late John and Ted Kennedy an the other Kennedy faily members. But they were democrats so having money is not an issue is it? I am not supporting nay one yet, D or R, just saying.
Nanci Wylde June 19, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Silver fox, you are a disrespectful person. Your comment was truly uncalled for and should be taken down.
As far as Mc Mahon, not all money is good money.
KevinMcG June 19, 2012 at 02:10 pm
The size of you bank account has nothing to do with with your ability to lead. Simply wanting to be a senator and actually paying dues through years of public service as Chris Shays or Richard Bluemnethal have done are completely different motivations. . Linda McMahan comes off as a rich lady with nothing better to do. She has no real experience in government or leadership...don't tell me working for her husband's wrestling company qualifies her to make really tough decisions about the issues facing our country. Republican's and all Connecticut citizens deserve better. Shays is infinitely more qualified to lead than Sarah Pal...., I mean Linda McMahon.
cjd11 June 19, 2012 at 03:10 pm
Linda spent $50 million of her own money in the race against Blumenthal, and is now looking to spent another $50 million. Why would anyone who is supposed to be good at business spend $100 million to try to get a job that pays $174,000 a year? It's not a good business decision unless she can make that money back for her company or other investments she has.
As far as what qualifications and accomplishments of the other candidates, you should look at either Christopher Shays or Chris Murphy and evaluate their legislative experience. What experience does Linda actually have? As CEO of the WWE, she's helped grow the business but it's been done by lowering costs (outsourcing merchandise production overseas and considering the performers to be independent contractors without benefits), not creating jobs. I'm willing to give Linda a fair shake and listen to what she has to say, but I don't see how she's improved her candidacy since she lost by 12 pts in 2010.
T. Russo June 19, 2012 at 03:15 pm
You have got to be kidding...Linda McMahon is her own special interest. She runs a company that promotes alcohol, sex, and violence. It is marketed towards younger individuals, all with the intent of making more money. Don't you think she is interested in promoting how she makes her money? She stated in the last election that she was investing her money in her campaign. Don't you think she is going to want something back for her 50 million dollar investment?
Robert Kalechman June 19, 2012 at 03:18 pm
Congresswoman Rosa Delauro is just that a lady one of Connecticuts better members of congress never pushing to get to the top she serve her district not herself like our congressman in the 5th district the only member of congress to Honor Major Maurice Rose Son of a rabbi killed a month short of the ending of World War ll in Europe
Spiff June 19, 2012 at 03:52 pm
Paul, by promoting Democratic talking points such as this, you're simply showing your ignorance.
- The top 1% of earners in the United States pay about 40% of all Federal income tax. - The top 10% of earners in the United States pay about 70% of all Federal income tax. - The bottom 50% of earners in the United States pay about 2% of all Federal income tax. There's your talking point explained in more detail.
Spiff June 19, 2012 at 03:56 pm
I'm with you, Phil, in that I hope Christopher Shays is the Republican nominee. Most importantly because he's the better and more qualified candidate, and secondly because he has a better shot at beating Chris Murphy in the general election.
bigtindacove June 19, 2012 at 06:18 pm
I've spoken with Linda. what she wants, is the chance to work with other Senators who share her view on how to change the financial landscape of our country. As for your referance to alcohol, sex, and violence, look at Hollywood. They have a strong link to the Democrat party
Nanci Wylde June 19, 2012 at 10:59 pm
She has a better chance of seeing G-d than she does being elected Senator from the State of Connecticut.
M Miller June 19, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Linda McMahon is following in the foot steps of Mitt Romney; making a career out of running for office (she has some catching up to do) and wanting it so bad that you will say anything to get there. So what if you change your stance every other day? Just shake the old Etch A Sketch and start over. They both have bottomless piggy banks and that buys a lot of Etch A Sketches these days. However they also have in common the fact that they will be defeated in November!
mel June 21, 2012 at 01:25 am
who wrote this article... must be a liberal hack.. ever hear of Kennedy, Kerry, Rockefeller.... multi millionares...!!!!
mel June 21, 2012 at 01:26 am
these guys have never had a real job, or owned a business... sounds like someone in the Whitehouse !!!!
Tom June 21, 2012 at 02:13 am
60 years of the Chris Shays and Richard Blumenthal types are why this country is in the precarious position we are dealing with today. Life long career pols whose only desire is to get re- elected never taking the tough courageous stand.
Committee to Elect June 25, 2012 at 03:31 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_Uz3BGLhTs
GregoryRobertSamuels July 13, 2012 at 05:10 pm
Of course the bottom 50% pay no income taxes- because they are poor. When the richest 400 Americans have more money than the poorest 150 million Americans combined...somethings wrong.
GregoryRobertSamuels July 13, 2012 at 05:16 pm
I will say that Linda is running a much smarter campaign than she did last time..now Linda supports the middle class (something new) and the working poor (also new). Before she was a 'job creator' and mainly used the right wing talking points which is not a winner in CT. You have to at least pretend you give a crap about the people of CT if you want to represent them. She doing a better job this time around...I'll give her that.

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