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Siena Poll: Murphy, McMahon in Dead Heat

By Julie Sobel // October 17, 2012 | 9:00 a.m.

Connecticut's Senate race is neck-and-neck despite President Obama's substantial advantage in the state, according to a Siena College Research Institute released Wednesday morning.

Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy garners 46 percent support in the poll, while former WWE CEO Linda McMahon has 44 percent. Eight percent remain undecided.

McMahon leads narrowly among independent voters, with 47 percent support to Murphy's 42 percent.

The race's nasty tone and ad war has taken a toll on both candidates, who are now seen unfavorably by more people than view them favorably: McMahon has 41 percent favorability and 49 percent unfavorability, Murphy is seen favorably by 36 percent and unfavorably by 45 percent.

The race in the blue-leaning Nutmeg State was once seen as an expected Democratic win, but McMahon has dumped millions into her second run for the Senate in two years, working to retool her image and define her Democratic opponent. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has begun spending in Connecticut to help Murphy.

Murphy is underperforming Obama and McMahon is overperforming Mitt Romney: 53 percent of respondents support Obama, while just 38 percent choose Romney. The poll was conducted Oct. 4-14, surveying 552 likely voters. The margin of error is plus-or-minus 4.2 percentage points.