A new Quinnipiac University Poll released Wednesday shows former professional wrestling executive Linda McMahon winning handily over former U.S. House Rep. Chris Shays in the Republican U.S. Senate primary in Connecticut, 59 percent to 30 percent.
The results of Wednesday’s survey show a dramatic change in the race since Quinnipiac’s March poll, which showed McMahon with a smaller nine-point advantage over Shays. Shays, who represented Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, has won the endorsement of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). McMahon, whose husband Vince is the chairman and CEO of World Wresting Entertainment, lost to Democrat Richard Blumenthal in the 2010 U.S. Senate Race in Connecticut.
The Republican nominee will likely face U.S. Rep. Christopher Murphy (D-CT), who holds a comfortable lead over his lone Democratic challenger in the Quinnipiac Poll. According to the poll, Murphy holds a slim three-point lead over McMahon in a hypothetical general election matchup, 46 percent to 43 percent. Both parties will hold their primaries on August 14.
