Senate race close as tensions increase

(WTNH) -- A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday shows the Senate race between Republican Linda McMahon and Chris Murphy is virtually a tie.

About half of the people who say they support Republican Linda McMahon now say they consider themselves "very enthusiastic" about her candidacy.

For the Murphy campaign, the enthusiasm factor is much weaker, less than a third, as 27% of those that say they support him say they are "very enthusiastic" about his candidacy.

The overall horserace numbers have not changed since August, with the poll showing the race remaining a dead heat, but some things have changed.

"Both candidates are viewed less favorably than they were back in August," said Doug Schwartz for the Quinnipac Poll. "I would attribute this largely to campaign advertising."

A huge majority of voters say they have seen McMahon's ads that have been pounding Murphy about his personal financial mistakes, and his poor attendance at congressional hearings. Yet, McMahon's unfavorable numbers have also gone up since August.

This indicates that Murphy's attack ads are also having some impact, but hers are on two to three times more often.

"I think this race will remain close from here until the end, that's what happens when Linda McMahon is spending a fortune to buy this seat," said Chris Murphy, (D) for U.S. Senate.

McMahon was unavailable on Thursday, but in a statement her campaign said:
"This poll tells us that Connecticut voters are wary of promoting a lifetime politician and it tells us that Connecticut voters are not persuaded by the nasty, false attacks."

Full Poll details: Quinnipiac.edu