Connecticut's U.S. Senate race between Republican Linda McMahon and Democratic Rep. Christopher Murphy is essentially tied, according to the results of a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday.
The poll showed McMahon, the former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, with a slim 48 percent to 47 percent lead over Murphy among likely Connecticut voters. The one-point lead is well within the poll's margin of error.
The results of the latest poll compare to an August poll showing McMahon with a 49 percent to 46 percent lead over the three-term congressman.
McMahon, who lost to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., two years ago, seems to be benefiting from a campaign ad blitz in the Democratic-leaning state.
Eight-four percent of Connecticut voters said they have seen McMahon's campaign ads "very often" or "somewhat often," with 66 percent calling the ads "very effective" or "somewhat effective."
In contrast, 64 percent of voters said they have seen Murphy's ads "very often" or "somewhat often," with 51 percent saying they are "very effective" or "somewhat effective."
Douglas Schwartz, PhD, director of the Quinnipiac University poll, said, "McMahon's blanketing the airwaves with TV ads appears to be working. More voters have seen her ads than Murphy's and more voters think they are effective."
Potentially as a result of the slew of ads attacking Murphy, the poll found that he gets a negative 36 - 40 percent favorability rating. McMahon, on the other hand, has a positive 45 - 41 percent favorability rating.
"Connecticut voters like Linda McMahon more than U.S. Rep. Christopher Murphy," Schwartz said. "But the Democrat seems to be holding his own against the onslaught of negative advertising."
The results of the Connecticut Senate race are likely to be closely watched as Republicans attempt to retake control of the upper chamber.
The poll also showed that President Barack Obama has a 54 percent to 42 percent lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney among likely Connecticut voters.
Obama benefits from a 59 percent to 37 percent lead among women, while men and independents are split between the two candidates.
Schwartz said, "President Barack Obama's lead has jumped into double digits, where it is expected to be in blue Connecticut."
The Quinnipiac survey of 1,696 likely Connecticut voters was conducted September 28th through October 2nd and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.
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