Connecticut Primary Results: Linda McMahon, Chris Murphy Win

Linda McMahon, former WWE executive and wife of Vince McMahon, easily defeated former Congressman Chris Shays in the GOP primary for senate in Connecticut. Shays, like many Republicans, lost his seat in 2008 elections and was trying to make a comeback. McMahon’s primary victory is her second in two years. She got the GOP nod in 2010 to run against then Secretary of State Richard Blumenthal, who won to succeed the retiring Senator Christopher Dodd.

On the Democratic side, Congressman Chris Murphy handily defeated former Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz. Murphy will square off against McMahon for the seat being vacated by independent Joe Lieberman, who caucuses with the Democrats in the senate. Lieberman has become an increasingly unpopular politician among Democratic voters, who ousted him in the state’s 2006 primary by electing Ned Lamont, only to have Lieberman run and win as an independent in the general election. Lieberman went on to endorse John McCain for president in 2008, and spoke at Republican National Convention.

Selectman Paul Formica beat Daria Novak in the GOP’s House primary for the second district. He faces a difficult task in unseating Democratic Congressman Joe Courtney.

Elizabeth Esty defeated House Speaker Chris Donovan in the Democratic primary in the second district, and will face Andrew Roraback, who won the GOP primary. The seat is being left vacant by Chris Murphy, who will face Linda McMahon for senate in the general election.