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A new poll out from Quinnipiac University shows former wresting executive Linda McMahon leading Congressman Chris Murphy in their race for Senate.
It’s one of two polls out this week. The other was conducted by Public Policy Polling on behalf of the League of Conservation Voters. It has Murphy up by 4 points.
Speaking on WNPR’s Where We Live, New York Times reporter Peter Applebome attributes McMahon’s bump in the poll to her “massive spending on advertising,” and “how good her advertising has been.”
Although the poll results made headlines around the country, “there were not many Democrats in the state that were shocked by this poll,” said Applebome.
Quinnipiac University Poll director Douglas Schwartz added that if McMahon “is able to define Murphy before he’s able to define himself, that could spell more trouble for him.”
In the coming months, Connecticut could be seeing more attention from the national parties, even around the presidential election. “I’ve been pushing them since last spring to not write us off,” said Connecticut Republican Party chief Jerry Labriola to the CT Mirror.
A visit to the state from President Obama in support of Murphy could boost support for both candidates in the state. Although it isn’t likely that Obama will lose Connecticut in November, his margin of victory probably won’t match 2008 when he won by more than 20 points.
“It would be stunning if Connecticut really is, seriously is in play,” said Applebome.
Schwartz said there will be at least one more Quinnipiac poll for Connecticut before the general election.