Simmons hopes to be on primary ballot

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - U.S. Senate candidate Rob Simmons has flown under the radar while Richard Blumenthal has dealt with the backlash from his military misspeak and Linda McMahon has been accused of playing dirty politics.

However, it's a strategy he believes will help him win a spot in the U.S. Senate.

Despite his strategy, campaign workers for Simmons are frantically reaching out to delegates prior to Friday night's convention.

The former congressman, who was first to enter the race last February, feels cautiously confident of getting the nomination. Some believe the reason Linda McMahon's campaign took credit for the big Blumenthal story is because it would impress undecided delegates at the convention. "To date I have had no delegates come to me and say they were impressed by whatever she may have done or may not have done," said Rob Simmons, a republican candidate for U.S. Senate.

Simmons believes the story and the questions it raises in some people's mind about Blumenthal, actually helps his own case. "Well it helps me because I did serve in Vietnam and it raises the whole issue of which candidate did serve their country in that capacity," explained Simmons.

Meanwhile, the Peter Schiff campaign is gathering signatures to make sure he gets on the primary ballot should he fail to receive the votes of 15 percent of the convention delegates. He also has been endorsed by some Tea Party groups. Simmons believes a three way Republican Primary in August would favor him.

Republicans nominate candidates for the five congressional district Friday afternoon. The roll call for the Republican Senate nomination gets underway sometime after 6:00 p.m.