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Poll: Murphy, McMahon Lead In Connecticut U.S. Senate Race

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) - There are definite frontrunners in the Connecticut U.S. Senate race, according to a new poll.

WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau On The Story

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According to the new Quinnipiac University poll, former WWE executive Linda McMahon has a commanding 59 to 33 lead over former Rep. Chris Shays in the fight for the Republican nomination to replace the retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman.

Her lead was only 11 points back in March.

On the Democratic front, Rep. Chris Murphy leads former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz 50 to 20.

His lead was only 12 points back in March.

Poll Director Doug Schwartz said McMahon is making gains against the likely Democratic challenger as well.

"She also has to feel really good about her general election performance against Chris Murphy," Schwartz told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau. "For the first time she's competitive against Murphy. She's closed the gap with Murphy to just three points."

Schwartz said that gain was the result of Linda McMahon's rising support among independent voters, a base that Republican Chris Shays felt confident of capturing in his effort to triumph over the Democratic candidate in the November election.

The primary is August 14.

Who do you think will win? Sound off in the comments section below.

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