McMahon to announce Senate run next week

Hartford, Conn.(WTNH) - The race for Joe Lieberman's U.S. Senate seat has been underway since January among Democrats. For Republicans, the race starts next week.

News 8 has confirmed that former WWE/CEO Linda McMahon of Greenwich will formally enter the race next week with a series of media interviews. Her campaign is planning to open a campaign headquarters in North Haven.

McMahon famously spent 50 million dollars of her own money last year in her losing race against Dick Blumenthal. Sources say she is aware of the criticism that she tried to buy a senate seat, and will attempt to raise money, but will likely again spend a lot of her own.

Chmn. Jerry Labriola said, "She has looked very hard at what worked and what didn't work in 2010 and wants to try another bid."

News 8 was first to report last month that former 4th District Congressman Chris Shays has moved back to Connecticut and will file papers to run for the Republican nomination on October 3rd. He said, "I hope to win the convention but in any event there will be a primary in August and I intend to win it."

The new state Republican Chairman says he couldn't be happier having these two, high profile candidates with records of supporting fiscal conservative positions in the race.

"Chris Shays is strong on national defense and Linda McMahon has demonstrated the ability to be a job creator," said Labriola.

The three Democrats in the race are 5th District Congressman Chris Murphy, former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and Stamford State Rep. William Tong.

There are two others are lesser known Republicans in the Senate race, but the real battle for the nomination will be between McMahon and Shays.