One-time pro wrestling executive Linda McMahon was taken down in Connecticut on Tuesday, losing her bid for a U.S. Senate seat in one of some two dozen races across the country involving sports figures.

McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment who presented herself as a shrewd businesswoman, was beaten by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

Throughout the Republican primary and general election, McMahon was questioned about the WWE's role in steroids, the health of the wrestlers and the way wrestling portrays women.

McMahon and husband Vince McMahon turned what was once a marginal enterprise into a cash-rich empire. She besieged the state with ads and is believed to have spent at least $50 million of her own money on her campaign.

In Oregon, in another high-profile contest, former NBA player Chris Dudley was running for governor. The 6-foot-11 center once played for the Portland Trail Blazers and drew on his NBA connections for support, including that of Commissioner David Stern.

Election Day also featured another ex-NBA center — Shawn Bradley, the 7-foot-6 ex-BYU star who is trying to join the Utah Legislature.

Heath Shuler, the former quarterback for the Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints, was re-elected to Congress from North Carolina in an important race for Democrats. Shuler, part of the conservative Blue Dog coalition, held off Republican Jeff Miller in a campaign in which the football star tried to show where he broke with his party's leadership.

Republican Jon Runyan, a former Philadelphia Eagles lineman who spent 14 years in the NFL, defeated Democrat John Adler in a tight U.S. House race in New Jersey. Republican Jason Chaffetz, who once kicked 10 extra points in a game for BYU, was re-elected to Congress from Utah.

Alan Page, the Pro Football Hall of Famer for the Minnesota Vikings, kept his seat on the Minnesota Supreme Court.

The U.S. Senate is losing its headline sports figure with the retirement of Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning of Kentucky. Sen. Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, was not up for election.

A Virginia congressional featured former Virginia football player Kenny Golden. The conservative Republican lost while running as an independent. In a U.S. House race in Ohio, former Arena Football owner James Renacci was a winner. The Republican used to own the Columbus Destroyers.

Republican Connie Mack, the great grandson of the legendary manager, easily won re-election to Congress from Florida.

In the Tennessee Legislature, it was hardly a close call for former American League umpire Dale Ford. He ran unopposed.