Same issues for McMahon in 2nd Conn. Senate race

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — After she lost her first U.S. Senate race in 2010, Republican Linda McMahon promised the Connecticut GOP she would run a totally different campaign in 2012.

The former wrestling executive said she didn't need to spend $50 million again. Her second campaign would be more grass-roots oriented. She would work to improve her standing among women.

But during the final months of this year's race, she resembled the McMahon of old.

McMahon spent almost the same eye-popping amount, plastered TV screens with ads, and women ultimately backed her Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy. In the end, she lost with 43 percent of the vote, the same percentage she garnered in 2010.

State GOP Chairman Jerry Labriola Jr. acknowledged Wednesday that "perhaps the age of big self-funders is over in Connecticut."