2012 United States Senate election in Connecticut explained

Election Name:2012 United States Senate election in Connecticut
Country:Connecticut
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2006 United States Senate election in Connecticut
Previous Year:2006
Next Election:2018 United States Senate election in Connecticut
Next Year:2018
Turnout:60.9% (voting eligible)[1]
Image1:File: Chris murphy official photo govtrends version cropped.jpg
Nominee1:Chris Murphy
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Alliance1:Working Families
Popular Vote1:828,761
Percentage1:54.82%
Nominee2:Linda McMahon
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Alliance2:Independent
Popular Vote2:651,089
Percentage2:43.07%
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Joe Lieberman
Before Party:Independent
After Election:Chris Murphy
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2012 United States Senate election in Connecticut was held on November 6, 2012, in conjunction with the 2012 U.S. presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Primaries to elect Senate candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties were held on Tuesday, August 14, 2012.[2]

Incumbent U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman, an independent who caucused with the Democratic Party, decided to retire instead of running for re-election to a fifth term.[3] Republican businesswoman Linda McMahon faced Democratic representative Chris Murphy in the general election and lost, marking two defeats in as many years.[4] Elected at the age of 39, Chris Murphy would be the youngest senator in the 113th United States Congress.

Background

In the 2006 election, incumbent Joe Lieberman was defeated in the Democratic primary by businessman Ned Lamont and formed his own party, Connecticut for Lieberman, winning re-election. Lieberman promised to remain in the Senate Democratic Caucus, but had since stood against the Democrats on many significant issues, including his endorsement of Republican 2008 presidential nominee John McCain over Barack Obama.[5] As a result, Lieberman's poll numbers among Democrats dropped significantly.[6] [7]

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal was reportedly considering a run against Lieberman,[8] but instead ran for and won Connecticut's other Senate seat in 2010 after U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd announced his retirement.[9]

Lieberman had publicly floated the possibility of running as a Democrat,[10] Republican,[11] or an independent.[12] However, on January 19, 2011, he announced that he would not run for another term.[3]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrawn

Debates

The first Democratic debate took place on February 23, 2012, with Murphy, Bysiewicz, and Tong participating.[19] The first televised debate was held on April 5, with Murphy, Bysiewicz, Tong, Oakes, and Whitnum participating.[20] A debate was held at UConn on April 9, with the five candidates participating.[21] A debate sponsored by WFSB took place on April 15, with all five taking part.[22]

Convention

Delegates of the Connecticut Democratic Party endorsed Chris Murphy at their state party convention held on May 12. Murphy was the choice of 1,378 delegates (76 percent), while Susan Bysiewicz won 444 delegates (24 percent), enough to qualify for the August 14 primary. Matthew Oakes received the support of one delegate from Hartford. Lee Whitnum's name was not placed in nomination.[23]

Polling

Poll sourceSusan
Bysiewicz
Chris
Murphy
William
Tong
OtherUndecided
align=left Public Policy Polling[24] March 17–20, 2011400±4.9%38%40%21%
align=left Quinnipiac[25] September 8–13, 2011447±4.6%26%36%1%2%35%
align=left Public Policy Polling[26] September 22–25, 2011400±4.9%33%39%8%19%
align=left Quinnipiac[27] March 14–19, 2012640±3.9%25%37%4%5%29%
align=left Quinnipiac[28] May 29 – June 3, 2012538±4.2%20%50%5%24%
align=left Public Policy Polling[29] July 26–29, 2012400±4.9%32%49%18%

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Debates

A debate sponsored by the Norwich Bulletin took place on April 19, 2012, with McMahon, Shays, Lumaj, Hill, and Westby in attendance.[35] The debate was not televised. The first televised debate took place on April 22, 2012, sponsored by WFSB.[36] All five candidates participated.

Convention

Delegates of the Connecticut Republican Party endorsed Linda McMahon at their state party convention held on May 18. McMahon was the choice of 730 delegates (60 percent), while Chris Shays won 389 delegates (32 percent), enough to qualify for the August 14 primary. Brian K. Hill, Peter Lumaj, and Kie Westby did not meet the 15 percent threshold necessary to automatically qualify for the primary, receiving the support of 62, 22, and 5 delegates, respectively.[37] Hill pursued a post-convention attempt to petition his way onto the primary ballot, but fell short of the 8,319 signatures required and suspended his campaign in June.[38]

Polling

Poll sourceJason
McCoy
Linda
McMahon
Chris
Shays
OtherUndecided
align=left Quinnipiac[39] September 8–13, 2011332±5.4%50%35%2%12%
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011400±4.9%3%60%27%10%
align=left QuinnipiacMarch 14–19, 2012429±4.7%51%42%1%6%
align=left QuinnipiacMay 29 – June 3, 2012381±5.0%59%30%1%9%
align=left Public Policy PollingJuly 26–29, 2012400±4.9%68%20%12%

Results

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Susan Bysiewicz was the first to declare herself as a candidate.[41] However, by March 2011 Chris Murphy had raised over $1 million to Bysiewicz's $500,000. Murphy had won election to Connecticut's 5th congressional district, which is considered Republican-leaning, and he promoted himself as the most electable candidate against a Republican challenger. Bysiewicz, the former Secretary of the State of Connecticut, enjoyed high name recognition while a statewide officeholder, and had a formidable face-off with Murphy. William Tong, a state representative, joined the race touting his biography as the son of Chinese immigrants working at a Chinese restaurant.[42] In January East Hartford resident Matthew John Oakes announced his candidacy. Oakes pointed to his real-life experience being a disabled American, victim of crime, and civil rights activist, growing up in the inner city and being a political outsider.[43]

Wide speculation continued on Linda McMahon, who had a widely publicized race for senator in 2010. She lost the election decisively, but had strong finances and a well-established political organization.[42] McMahon met with her former campaign consultant to review her 2010 results, and said she was leaning towards running. She planned to make a decision regarding another run after the start of 2012. Former congressman Chris Shays joined in August 2011, promoting his involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan's military contracting.[44] Shays campaign had also gained traction from a series of independent polls showing him beating or in a dead heat with the top Democratic contenders in the general election, while those same polls showed McMahon losing handily to each of the top Democratic contenders. The Shays campaign quickly capitalized on these polls, arguing for the former Congressman's electability while questioning McMahon's electability due to her loss in an open Senate seat contest in 2010 by a large margin despite spending $50 million of her own money, also citing her high unfavorable numbers among state voters, and the weak fundraising numbers of the McMahon campaign.[45]

In July 2012, Shays declared that he would not support McMahon if she won the primary. He said that he had "never run against an opponent that I have respected less—ever—and there are a lot of candidates I have run against," adding that "I do not believe that Linda McMahon has spent the time, the energy to determine what [being] a senator really means." He also said that during the last debate he had with McMahon, "I thought she was embarrassingly clueless" and that "I think she is a terrible candidate and I think she would make a terrible senator." Although he said he would not support Chris Murphy, he expected him to win the Democratic nomination and the general election.[46]

In September 2012, the records of the McMahons' 1976 bankruptcy and specifics of nearly $1 million unpaid debts from the proceeding were published.[47] In days the candidate and her husband announced the "intention to reimburse all private individual creditors that can be located".[48]

Debates

Fundraising

Candidate (party)ReceiptsDisbursementsCash on handDebt
Chris Murphy (D)$10,543,456$10,436,219$107,239$189,925
Linda McMahon (R)$50,956,502$50,262,442$351,464$1,250,000
Source: Federal Election Commission[49] [50]

Top contributors

Chris MurphyContributionLinda McMahonContribution
Moveon.org$112,864Morgan Stanley$31,050
Yale University$69,101Linda McMahon for Senate$26,174
League of Conservation Voters$47,388General Electric$24,250
Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder$44,916Ott International$15,000
Travelers Companies$41,000Thor Industries$12,500
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company$40,650JPMorgan Chase & Co.$11,231
Sullivan & Cromwell$36,500Ceci Brothers Inc.$10,000
Comcast Corporation$36,000Invemed Associates$10,000
Shipman & Goodwin$35,511Midstream Partners$10,000
Northeast Utilities$34,789Tudor Investment Corporation$10,000
Source: OpenSecrets[51]

Top industries

Chris MurphyContributionLinda McMahonContribution
Retired$1,041,795Financial Institutions$121,717
Lawyers/Law Firms$861,258Retired$81,949
Financial Institutions$580,370Misc Business$55,302
Real Estate$319,466Manufacturing & Distributing$46,500
Leadership PACs$302,500Misc Finance$38,050
Insurance Industry$302,025Business Services$28,932
Health Professionals$285,150Real Estate$27,000
Democratic/Liberal$267,018Republican/Conservative$25,630
Universities$232,951Candidate Committees$24,874
Business Services$228,550Lawyers/Law Firms$24,372
Source: OpenSecrets[52]

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
align=left The Cook Political Report[53] November 1, 2012
align=left Sabato's Crystal Ball[54] November 5, 2012
align=left Rothenberg Political Report[55] November 2, 2012
align=left Real Clear Politics[56] November 5, 2012

Polling

Poll sourceChris
Murphy (D)
Linda
McMahon (R)
OtherUndecided
align=left Public Policy Polling[57] March 17–20, 2011822±3.4%54%38%9%
align=left Quinnipiac[58] September 8–13, 20111,230±2.8%49%38%11%
align=left Public Policy Polling[59] September 22–25, 2011592±4.0%50%43%6%
align=left QuinnipiacMarch 14–19, 20121,622±2.4%52%37%9%
align=left QuinnipiacMay 29 – June 3, 20121,408±2.6%46%43%9%
align=left Public Policy PollingJuly 26–29, 2012771±3.5%50%42%8%
align=left Rasmussen Reports[60] August 21, 2012500±4.5%46%49%5%
align=left Public Policy Polling[61] August 22–23, 2012881±3.3%48%44%8%
align=left QuinnipiacAugust 22–26, 20121,472±2.6%46%49%4%
align=left 517±4.0%37%33%1%28%
align=left Public Policy Polling[62] September 24–26, 2012801±3.5%48%42%10%
align=left Quinnipiac University Poll[63] September 28 – October 2, 20121,696±2.5%47%48%5%
align=left Rasmussen Reports[64] October 7, 2012500±4.5%51%46%2%1%
align=left Siena Research Institute[65] October 4–14, 2012552±4.2%46%44%8%
align=left Univ. of Connecticut/Hartford Courant[66] October 11–16, 2012574±4%44%38%17%
align=left Public Policy Polling/LCV[67] October 15–16, 20121,015±3.1%48%44%8%
align=left Mason-Dixon[68] October 15–17, 2012625±4%44%44%12%
align=left SurveyUSA[69] October 19–21, 2012575±4.2%47%43%3%4%
align=left Rasmussen Reports[70] October 21, 2012500±4.5%48%47%2%3%
align=left Quinnipiac[71] October 19–22, 20121,412±2.6%49%43%1%7%
align=left Rasmussen Reports[72] October 28, 2012500±4.5%51%45%1%3%
align=left Public Policy Polling[73] November 1–2, 20121,220±2.8%52%43%4%
With Mark Boughton

With Susan Bysiewicz

Poll sourceSusan
Bysiewicz (D)
Linda
McMahon (R)
Undecided
align=left Public Policy PollingMarch 17–20, 2011822±3.4%50%39%12%
align=left QuinnipiacSeptember 8–13, 20111,230±2.8%46%38%12%
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011592±4.0%47%46%7%
align=left QuinnipiacMarch 14–19, 20121,622±2.4%49%39%9%
align=left QuinnipiacMay 29 – June 3, 20121,408±2.6%42%46%9%
align=left Public Policy PollingJuly 26–29, 2012771±3.5%45%42%13%

With Michael Fedele

With Scott Frantz

With Joe Lieberman

Poll sourceJoe
Lieberman (I)
Chris
Murphy (D)
Jodi
Rell (R)
Undecided
align=left rowspan=2Research 2000[75] January 11–13, 2010600±4.0%23%25%47%2%
810±3.4%33%47%20%
align=left rowspan=2Public Policy PollingSeptember 30 – October 2, 2010810±3.4%17%37%29%17%
Poll sourceJoe
Lieberman (I)
Ned
Lamont (D)
Jodi
Rell (R)
Undecided
align=left Research 2000[76] March 23–25, 2008600±4.0%25%30%42%2%
align=left Research 2000[77] September 8–10, 2009600±4.0%26%26%46%2%
Poll sourceJoe
Lieberman (I)
Ned
Lamont (D)
Alan
Schlesinger (R)
Undecided
align=left Research 2000[78] March 31 – April 2, 2008600±4.0%37%51%7%5%
align=left Research 2000[79] June 30 – July 2, 2008600±4.0%36%51%7%6%
align=left Research 2000November 11–13, 2008600±4.0%34%59%3%2%

With Chris Shays

Poll sourceSusan
Bysiewicz (D)
Chris
Shays (R)
Undecided
align=left QuinnipiacSeptember 8–13, 20111,230±2.8%40%42%16%
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011592±4.0%37%48%16%
align=left QuinnipiacMarch 14–19, 20121,622±2.4%42%43%13%
align=left QuinnipiacMay 29 – June 3, 20121,408±2.6%40%44%11%
align=left Public Policy PollingJuly 26–29, 2012771±3.5%40%43%17%
Poll sourceChris
Murphy (D)
Chris
Shays (R)
Undecided
align=left QuinnipiacSeptember 8–13, 20111,230±2.8%43%37%17%
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011592±4.0%43%39%18%
align=left QuinnipiacMarch 14–19, 20121,622±2.4%41%40%17%
align=left QuinnipiacMay 29 – June 3, 20121,408±2.6%45%37%15%
align=left Public Policy PollingJuly 26–29, 2012771±3.5%47%38%15%

With Rob Simmons

Poll sourceSusan
Bysiewicz (D)
Rob
Simmons (R)
Undecided
align=left Public Policy PollingMarch 17–20, 2011822±3.4%42%39%19%
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011592±4.0%41%42%17%
Poll sourceChris
Murphy (D)
Rob
Simmons (R)
Undecided
align=left Public Policy PollingMarch 17–20, 2011822±3.4%49%34%18%
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011592±4.0%45%36%20%

With William Tong

Poll sourceWilliam
Tong (D)
Linda
McMahon (R)
Undecided
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011592±4.0%38%45%17%
align=left QuinnipiacMarch 14–19, 20121,622±2.4%39%43%9%
Poll sourceWilliam
Tong (D)
Chris
Shays (R)
Undecided
align=left Public Policy PollingSeptember 22–25, 2011592±4.0%27%46%27%
align=left QuinnipiacMarch 14–19, 20121,622±2.4%25%50%21%

Results

Counties that flipped from Independent to Democratic

Counties that flipped from Independent to Republican

Results by congressional district

Murphy won all 5 congressional districts.[80]

DistrictMurphyMcMahonRepresentative
59.81%38.61%John B. Larson
52.74%44.92%Joe Courtney
59.66%38.65%Rosa DeLauro
53.5%44.525%Jim Himes
50.72%47.79%Elizabeth Esty

See also

External links

Official campaign websites (archived)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2012 General Election Turnout Rates . . Dr. Michael McDonald . February 9, 2013 . April 3, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130424003112/http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2012G.html . April 24, 2013 . dead . mdy-all .
  2. Web site: Candidate Committees, Exploratory Committees, and Durational Political Committees Organized for the November 6, 2012 Election . State of Connecticut, State Elections Enforcement Commission . August 13, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121017200126/http://www.ct.gov/seec/lib/seec/seecfilingcalendars/2012_filing_calendar_candidate_committees_and_durational_political_committees__final_.pdf . October 17, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  3. News: 'To everything there is a season:' Lieberman announces plan to end Senate run . January 19, 2011 . January 19, 2011 . Connecticut Post.
  4. News: Democrat Murphy beats GOP's McMahon in Connecticut Senate race . Los Angeles Times . Kim . Geiger . November 6, 2012.
  5. Web site: FLASHBACK: Lieberman Said He Wanted To Help Elect "Democratic President In 2008" . . December 17, 2007 . December 18, 2010 . Greg . Sargent . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718053352/http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2007/12/flashback_lieberman_said_he_wa.php . July 18, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  6. News: Lieberman's 2012 Race Calculus Is Big Mystery . . Peoples . Steve . November 15, 2010 . November 30, 2010 . November 19, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101119023704/http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_46/-200513-1.html . dead .
  7. Web site: Joe Lieberman left with limited 2012 options . November 23, 2010 . November 30, 2010 . . Molly . Ball.
  8. News: Connecticut attorney general eyes Lieberman challenge . . Reid . Wilson . February 3, 2009 . December 18, 2010.
  9. News: Richard Blumenthal announces candidacy for U.S. Senate . . January 6, 2010 . January 18, 2011.
  10. News: Lieberman open to reunion with Democratic Party . J. Taylor Rushing . . March 13, 2009 . December 18, 2010.
  11. News: Lieberman won't rule out run as Republican in 2012 . December 16, 2010 . November 18, 2010 . CNN . Dana . Bash.
  12. Web site: Lieberman says he would likely pursue reelection as an Independent . January 17, 2011 . December 18, 2010 . . Michael . O'Brien.
  13. News: Bysiewicz to declare for U.S. Senate . . Pazniokas . Mark . January 18, 2011 . January 18, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725213122/http://ctmirror.org/story/11196/bysiewicz-declare-us-senate . July 25, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  14. News: Chris Murphy To Run For Senate . . January 20, 2011 . January 20, 2011 . Jeremy P. . Jacobs . Jessica . Taylor . https://web.archive.org/web/20110123050809/http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/01/murphy-to-run-f.php . January 23, 2011 . dead .
  15. Web site: McMahon close to launching another Senate bid . August 16, 2011 . February 4, 2012 . The Westport News . Neil . Vigdor.
  16. Web site: Shays officially announces Senate bid . January 25, 2012 . February 4, 2012 . . Neil . Vigdor.
  17. News: Green . Rick . Endorsement Over A Cold One . https://archive.today/20130121062151/http://courantblogs.com/rick-green/endorsement-over-a-cold-one-oakes-backs-murph . dead . January 21, 2013 . May 24, 2012 . May 24, 2012 .
  18. News: Pazniokas . Mark . Tong drops, joins Malloy in endorsing Murphy . May 2, 2012 . May 1, 2012.
  19. Web site: Senate Democratic candidates play nice at first debate . February 23, 2012 . May 4, 2012 . CTMirror.org . Jacqueline Rabe Thomas.
  20. Web site: Live Senate debate ends with personal attack on Murphy . April 5, 2012 . May 4, 2012 . CTMirror.org . Kieth M. . Phaneuf . https://web.archive.org/web/20120413162323/http://ctmirror.org/story/15933/senate-debates-erupts-heated-attacks . April 13, 2012 . dead .
  21. News: UConn hosts Senate debate . April 10, 2012 . May 4, 2012 . The Daily Campus . Liz . Crowley . https://web.archive.org/web/20120414133342/http://www.dailycampus.com/news/uconn-hosts-senate-debate-1.2842962#.T6QV7-j2eSo . April 14, 2012 . dead .
  22. Web site: Senate debate covers pot, guns and price of milk . April 15, 2012 . April 23, 2012 . CTMirror.org . Mark . Pazniokas.
  23. News: Altimari . Daniela . Murphy Wins Democratic Endorsement For U.S. Senate . https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20130611184444/http://articles.courant.com/2012-05-12/news/hc-democratic-convention-senate-0513-20120511_1_state-susan-bysiewicz-state-party-convention-democrats . dead . June 11, 2013 . May 14, 2012 . . May 12, 2012 .
  24. http://www.dailykos.com/polling/2011/3/17/CT-DEM/29/3Uiwv Public Policy Polling
  25. https://archive.today/20121212094150/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1284.xml?ReleaseID=1646&What=&strArea=;&strTime=0 Quinnipiac
  26. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_CT_1003.pdf Public Policy Polling
  27. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/connecticut/release-detail?ReleaseID=1724 Quinnipiac
  28. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/connecticut/release-detail?ReleaseID=1758 Quinnipiac
  29. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_CT_073112.pdf Public Policy Polling
  30. Web site: Brian Hill for Senate, again The Connecticut Mirror . June 11, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110722165001/http://www.ctmirror.org/node/12902 . July 22, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  31. Web site: Fairfield lawyer to seek U.S. Senate seat . November 23, 2011 . December 3, 2011 . . Genevieve . Reilly.
  32. Web site: McMahon Jumps In for Second Senate Bid. September 19, 2011. Roll Call.
  33. News: Hearst exclusive: Former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays to enter 2012 Senate race . greenwichtime.com . August 22, 2011 . April 6, 2014 . Neil . Vigdor . https://web.archive.org/web/20121018134153/http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Hearst-exclusive-Former-U-S-Rep-Chris-Shays-2135649.php . October 18, 2012 . live . mdy-all .
  34. Web site: Ex-Rep. Shays Makes Senate Bid Official. August 22, 2011. Roll Call.
  35. Web site: GOP Senate debate relies on familiar songbook . April 19, 2012 . April 23, 2012 . CTMirror.org . Mark . Pazniokas.
  36. Web site: A GOP debate focuses on electability, jobs and jabs . April 22, 2012 . April 23, 2012 . CTMirror.org . Mark . Pazniokas . https://web.archive.org/web/20120425100114/http://ctmirror.org/story/16096/gop-focus-electability-and-jobs . April 25, 2012 . dead .
  37. News: Keating . Christopher . Altimari . Daniela . McMahon Beats Shays 730-389 At GOP Convention; Primary Fight Looms . https://archive.today/20120722183700/http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-republican-convention-0519-20120518,0,3936727,full.story . dead . July 22, 2012 . May 19, 2012 . . May 19, 2012 .
  38. News: Republican candidate Brian K. Hill suspends U.S. Senate campaign . June 15, 2012 . . June 8, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121227184311/http://ctsenate2012.nhregister.com/2012/06/08/republican-candidate-brian-k-hill-suspends-u-s-senate-campaign/ . December 27, 2012 . dead .
  39. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/connecticut/release-detail?ReleaseID=1646 Quinnipiac
  40. Web site: Archived copy . April 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141019140845/http://www.statementofvote-sots.ct.gov/StatementOfVote/WebModules/ReportsLink/CLNWUSSenView.aspx?Parameter=11%2F06%2F2012-General . October 19, 2014 . dead . mdy-all .
  41. Web site: Pazniokas . Mark . Bysiewicz declares for US Senate . CT Mirror . September 8, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725213122/http://ctmirror.org/story/11196/bysiewicz-declare-us-senate . July 25, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  42. News: 2012 Connecticut Senate Race To Replace Joe Lieberman Gears Up . Huffington Post . June 19, 2011.
  43. Web site: Connecticut Resident Matthew John Oakes Enters U.S. Senate Race. Connecticut for Matthew. Oakes. PRLog.
  44. News: Hearst exclusive: Former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays entering 2012 Senate race . . August 22, 2011 . February 4, 2012 . Neil . Vigdor.
  45. Web site: Shays Cites Reasons for Optimism in Race Against McMahon – Hotline On Call . November 21, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121018143158/http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2012/03/shays-cites-rea.php . October 18, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  46. News: Chris Shays says he won't support Linda McMahon if she wins primary . New Haven Register . July 21, 2012 . July 24, 2012 . Mary E. . O'Leary . https://web.archive.org/web/20120722143826/http://ctsenate2012.nhregister.com/2012/07/21/chris-shays-says-he-wont-support-linda-mcmahon-if-she-wins-primary/ . July 22, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  47. Reindl, JC, "Records: McMahons owed nearly $1 million in 1976 bankruptcy", The Day, September 18/19, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  48. Altimari, Daniela, "McMahon To Repay Creditors From 1970s Bankruptcy", Hartford Courant, September 20, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  49. Web site: 2012 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Connecticut MURPHY, CHRISTOPHER S . . fec.gov . August 27, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120926014941/http://www.fec.gov/disclosurehs/HSCandDetail.do . September 26, 2012 . dead .
  50. Web site: 2012 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Connecticut MCMAHON, LINDA . . fec.gov . August 27, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120926014941/http://www.fec.gov/disclosurehs/HSCandDetail.do . September 26, 2012 . dead .
  51. Web site: Top Contributors 2012 Race: Connecticut Senate . OpenSecrets.
  52. Web site: Top Industries 2012 Race: Connecticut Senate . OpenSecrets.
  53. Web site: 2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012 . The Cook Political Report . October 9, 2018 . August 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180829035855/https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139117 . dead .
  54. Web site: 2012 Senate . Sabato's Crystal Ball . October 9, 2018.
  55. Web site: 2012 Senate Ratings . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report . October 9, 2018.
  56. Web site: 2012 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2012 . Real Clear Politics . October 9, 2018.
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