If there’s one thing Linda McMahon’s U.S. Senate bid showed, it’s that the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment knows how to set a budget and stick to it.

A new campaign finance report filed this week shows that McMahon came in just under her self-imposed $50 million spending cap; she had shelled out $49.57 million through Nov. 11 in her unsuccessful bid against Democrat Richard Blumenthal.

But that tally probably doesn’t include the costs of her “thank you ad,” so maybe she went over budget after all, if only a little.

Blumenthal, for his part, spent a total of $8.4 million through Nov. 11, the new reports show, and ended the campaign $2.6 million in debt.

Meanwhile, Connecticut’s House contests carried a combined price tag of more than $17 million, the latest filings show.

The 4th District race between Democratic Rep. Jim Himes and Republican Dan Debicella was the most expensive; collectively, the two candidates spent $5.8 million, with Himes putting up nearly $ 4 million of that.
 
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, spent the least among Connecticut House members, but still shelled out a hefty $1.4 million to keep her safe seat. Her challenger, Republican Jerry Labriola, spent under $200,000.

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