Conn. GOP Senate candidates to debate

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Former wrestling executive Linda McMahon and former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays are meeting in their first debate since Connecticut Republicans endorsed McMahon as the party's candidate for the U.S. Senate.

The two will appear Thursday at the University of Connecticut. The hour-long debate is being sponsored by the Hartford Courant and Fox CT.

Last month, McMahon won the support of about 60 percent of the convention delegates. But Shays won about 32 percent, more than double the amount needed to secure a spot on the Aug. 14 GOP primary ballot.

A new Quinnipiac (KWIHN'-uh-pee-ak) University Poll shows McMahon's lead over Shays in the primary has grown to 29 percentage points.

Shays, however, received a financial boost last week from fundraisers featuring political strategist Karl Rove and U.S. Sen. John McCain.