World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon announced Wednesday that she will resign her position in order to seek the Republican nomination for the state's senior senator.

McMahon says she's proud of the company she and her husband have built, but that it's time to put her skills to test in the political ring. She says she will use her own money to fund the campaign and will not accept contributions from special interest groups.

McMahon is up against three other Republicans: former Congressman Rob Simmons, state Sen. Sam Caligiuri and former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley. Current Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd plans to run for a sixth term next year.