Linda McMahon Officially Launches New Bid For U.S. Senate From Connecticut
STAMFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- She's back for round two.
Linda McMahon kicked off her second big money bid for a seat in the Senate.
The former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment is trying again -- two years and $50 million after losing a U.S. Senate bid.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am a proven job creator and today I am announcing that I am a candidate for United States Senate," McMahon announced.
"What Linda's going to have to ask herself is what is she going to do differently this time than she did last time to get a different different outcome," said Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton.
In 2010, McMahon lost to Democrat Richard Blumenthal by more than 10 points despite setting a state record for campaign spending.
On the street, there is stark evidence of what McMahon bought in the last election and that is name recognition. Everybody knows who she is, although opinions about her are divided.
"As far as politically-wise, I don't think she's really qualified to tell you the truth," said Stamford resident Derrick Johnson.
She's organized, she has good business-sense and she's made a lot of money, so I think that's probably going to help her campaign," said Greenwich resident Henry Blockiston.
Since her defeat two years ago, the economy has continued to struggle. Supporters say the national economic distress makes her business experience seem more appealing.
"There's a President that had a quote and he said 'It's the economy, stupid,' and I think that quote has more meaning today than it did when he said it," Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia said.
It's the message McMahon tried to seize on Tuesday
"It is clear to most everyone now that regardless of what political party you belong to that we're going down the wrong economic path and track...we have to get off of and we have to get off in a hurry," she said.
McMahon will likely face former congressman Chris Shays in a Republican primary before she gets to face a Democrat.
The presumed Democratic frontrunner issued a statement Tuesday.
Congressman Chris Murphy said: "I don't have the millions of dollars McMahon has, but what I do have is a record of fighting for the middle class and a work ethic money cant buy."
A recent Quinnipiac poll shows McMahon trailing both Murphy and former Democratic Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz in a head-to-head race, making this an uphill fight for a woman who is literally doubling down on a $50 million bet.
Who do you think will win this race? Sound off in the comment section below!
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