In a blog post this afternoon, Kevin Rennie writes about the curious triangle that has developed bteween Rob Simmons, Linda McMahon and former U.S. Attorney Kevin O’Connor.
O’Connor gave a $250 campaign contribution to Simmons but three weeks later, he endorsed McMahon.
“Mahon’s acceptance of the endorsement of a former law enforcement official suggests she thinks she still hasn’t provided convincing responses to persistent stories about the steroid-infested professional wrestling division of show business,” Rennie writes.
In the past, O’Connor has taken a hard-line on steroids. In 2007, he busted a state man and five others who were peddling the drugs on MySpace.
“The dangers associated with the improper use of steroids and human growth hormone are well documented,” O’Connor said in a press release trumpeting the charges.
And in 2006, O’Connor’s office brought a case against a California man who was charged with selling anabolic steroids on the internet.
“The illegal distribution of anabolic steroids and other pharmaceuticals on the Internet poses a grave and increasing public health risk, and the federal government will vigorously prosecute this offense,” O’Connor said at the time.
McMahon spokesman Ed Patru said the candidates was “very pleased to have Kevin O’Connor’s endorsement.
As for the steroid issue, Patru said McMahon has addressed it. “Delegates understand that individuals in the entertainment industry don’t always make the best personal choices…That said, they’re comfortable with the policies Linda put in place at the WWE and convinced that her real world business experience and her ability to create jobs is what’s needed in Washington.”
It’s worth noting that O’Connor’s wife, Kathleen O’Connor, served with McMahon on the state board of education. Both were appointed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell in January, 2009. McMahon stepped down from the post earlier this spring.