McMahon and Murphy in a dead heat

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Is Republican Linda McMahon gaining the upper hand in Connecticut's U.S. Senate race? Polling this week shows the race is a dead heat, but Democrat Chris Murphy's campaign continues to stumble.

The Democrats thought their biggest hurdle for their candidate was McMahon's millions, but it appears their candidate's own financial mis-steps in the past are also a big problem.

If the U.S. Senate race were a wrestling match, it would probably be fair to say that McMahon has her opponent on the ropes.

Over the past two weeks news reports have shown that Murphy has been sued for not paying his rent and his mortgage, and late in paying his real estate and car taxes multiple times.

His campaign has given sometimes conflicting explanations.

"I would just call on Congressman Murphy to be honest with the people of Connecticut," said McMahon, "and I just don't think he has been."

The McMahon campaign has alleged that after his financial problems, he got a sweetheart loan from a local bank.

Murphy and Webster Bank have denied the charge and the bank is now demanding a retraction from McMahon's campaign.

"We don't plan to issue a retraction," McMahon said.

McMahon has been hammering Murphy with a TV commercial.

Murphy's campaign has retorted that he paid back all his debts with interest, but that McMahon has yet to pay back all her creditors from her bankruptcy in the 1970's.

She says as an elected official, Murphy should be held to a higher standard than someone in private life.

Several times in the past week, the Democratic Party has posted on the internet what some call 'soft porn' and women degrading video clips from WWE performances when McMahon was CEO, but as fast as they post them WWE has them taken down.

News 8's interview with McMahon Thursday was delayed while she spoke with her husband.

"You were just on the phone with your husband, he still runs the company...is he looking out for your best interest by having this stuff taken off," asked News 8's Mark Davis.

"Well you'll have to talk to WWE about what their plans are on how they're using their copyright material," McMahon said, "but there is not a coordination between my campaign and WWE."

The most recent polling shows about a third of voters favor McMahon, about a third favor Murphy, and about a third are undecided.

Four televised debates are scheduled between these two next month.