HARTFORD -World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon's nomination to the state Board of Education was approved this afternoon by the General Assembly's executive and legislative nominations committee.
Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell nominated McMahon, a Greenwich resident whose WWE offices are in Stamford, last month.
Despite concerns from some Democrats about McMahon's lack of qualifications and the violent and sexual content of WWE entertainment, Sen. Majority Leader and committee chairman Martin Looney, D-New Haven, voted in her favor.
Looney afterward said McMahon handled herself well during the hearing and believes it is important to have representatives from diverse backgrounds on the state school board.
Rep. Shawn Johnston, D-Putnam, was one of a handful of "no" votes.
"I think this individual has made a living off a really lousy product that does harm to our youth," Johnston said before casting his vote.
McMahon's nomination now goes to the full House and Senate for approval.
