Murphy slams McMahon over WWE record

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, trying to take the offensive in his Connecticut Senate campaign against Republican former wrestling executive Linda McMahon, released a new television advertisement accusing McMahon of laying off workers while her company took millions in tax credits.

Murphy's campaign says as head of WWE, formerly known as World Wrestling Entertainment, McMahon laid off 10 percent of her work force in 2009 and then received about $10 million in tax credits designed to create jobs. The ad also accuses her of denying workers health care.

McMahon's campaign countered that the ads were a desperate attempt by Murphy to distract attention from a sweetheart home loan deal he received, an accusation Murphy denies. WWE says the tax credits helped the company expand its work force and says its employees have health insurance.