Former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon has easily won a three-way Republican primary to run for the seat of retiring Connecticut Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd.
Mrs. McMahon, a political newcomer, was taking nearly half the vote against former Rep. Rob Simmons, the party establishment’s early favorite, and money manager Peter Schiff, with nearly 60 percent of the votes tallied.
She will take on Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal in November. Mr. Blumenthal, once a prohibitive favorite to hold the seat for the Democrats, has seen his once-formidable lead in the polls slip amid questions of whether he misrepresented his military service record.
In the gubernatorial primary, wealthy businessman Ned Lamont, the Democratic candidate for Senate in 2006, conceded to Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy. On the Republican side, former Ambassador Tom Foley was clinging to a slight lead over Lt. Gov. Michael Fidele, although the race was too close to call.
Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell is retiring.
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