McMahon, Murphy to square off in 4th Senate debate

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Republican Linda McMahon and Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy will square off in their fourth debate in the race for U.S. Senate.

The Connecticut Broadcasters Association is hosting the debate Thursday afternoon at the Hilton Hartford Hotel.

Polls have shown a tight race for the seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who is retiring.

In a debate earlier this week, the candidates clashed over whether corporations should have the ability to make independent expenditures during political campaigns. Murphy said he opposes the U.S. Supreme Court decision which prohibits the government from restricting independent expenditures from corporations and unions, but McMahon said she believes corporations have free speech rights.

The moderator of Thursday's debate is Steve Kotchko of the Connecticut Radio Network and Connecticut Public Broadcasting.