Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

Rob Simmons (Connecticut)

The GOP leaders recruited former Representative Rob Simmons, a moderate, to take on vulnerable Democratic incumbent Senator Chris Dodd. But now Simmons faces four primary challengers, three of whom are millionaire self-funders. They include Linda McMahon, the wife of World Wrestling Entertainment founder Vince McMahon, who has pledged to spend tens of millions in her own money; former ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley; and businessman Peter Schiff. Dodd, in a recent Rasmussen poll, was losing not only in matchups with Simmons but with Foley and the fourth challenger, state senator Sam Caligiuri, as well. Simmons maintains a solid lead over the pack, but the Connecticut Tea Party movement has said it is evaluating the conservative candidates and plans to challenge him. Simmons — like most New England Republicans — is a moderate who is pro-environment and pro-choice.