Democrat Murphy wins Conn. Senate seat

Catalina Camia, USA TODAY | USATODAY

Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy has won the seat of Joe Lieberman, an independent who is retiring.

Connecticut is as blue as it comes in presidential elections, but Republican Linda McMahon's big-spending ways tried to change all that.

McMahon, the former CEO of what was known as World Wrestling Entertainment, has spent more than $42 million of her own money this year. She spent about $50 million two years ago in an unsuccessful Senate race against Democrat Richard Blumenthal.

"Chris Murphy went up against a mountain of money and beat an opponent who spent more than anyone else in history to win a seat in the U.S. Senate," said Sen. Patty Murray, chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. "We worked hard to support Chris because I knew that he would never back down and always focus on fighting for Connecticut jobs and working families. I know he will continue to fight hard for the people of his state in the United States Senate."

The race is one of about a dozen that could help decide which party has majority control in the Senate.

USA TODAY's Gary Stoller will have more on the Connecticut Senate race online and in Wednesday's editions.