Connecticut: Christopher Murphy, Linda McMahon Still in Statistical Tie
By Abby Livingston
Posted at 12:31 p.m. on Oct. 17, 2012
(Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
A new poll showed Rep. Christopher Murphy (D) had a narrow, within-the-margin-of-error lead over former WWE CEO Linda McMahon in the open-seat race to replace retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).
Murphy got 46 percent, while McMahon had 44 percent. Eight percent of respondents said they remained undecided. The poll was conducted by Siena Research Institute.
One eyebrow-raising point of the poll’s implementation is that it took place over 10 days — far longer than most conventional polls. That 10-day window is a highly fluid point in the race — including two debates and massive television advertising saturation.
Both candidates are underwater in their favorability ratings, which is unsurprising given the nasty tone the race has taken. Forty-one percent of respondents said they have a favorable opinion of McMahon, while 49 percent said they had a negative opinion of her. Ten percent said they did not have an opinion of her.
Thirty-six percent of respondents said they had a positive opinion of Murphy, while 45 percent said they viewed him unfavorably. Nineteen percent stated no opinion.
The poll was conducted Oct. 4-14 among 552 likely voters. It had a margin of error of 4.2 points. Roll Call rates this race as a Tossup.
