Campaign Notebook: Boisterous Crowd at Senate Debate

Senate

The third debate between Chris Murphy and Linda McMahon was a wild one due to a raucous crowd. According to the Connecticut Mirror, the crowd, “asserted itself with repeated interruptions of Murphy that ranged from derisive laughter to boos to one woman's shout for him to simply ‘shut up.’"

After the third of four debates came to an end, Murphy accused McMahon of bringing in supporters, “to shout me down off the stage because she’s afraid of debating the issues,” reports the Associated Press.

The debate ended suddenly for television viewers when Linda McMahon (R) had her closing remarks cut off. A post on her Facebook page saying the statement should be aired on the 11 p.m. news received 2,400 “likes” from supporters. WTNH apologized for ending the debate short and said the full debate can be viewed on its website.

Fifth District

The Fifth District remains tightly contested in the polls, but not when it comes to finances. The Hartford Courant reports Elizabeth Esty raised $2.7 million so far, and Andrew Roraback raised $1.18 million. Esty contributed $525,000 of her own money, but only has $208,000 on hand at the end of the quarter. Roraback gave $25,000 of his own money but has $306,000 left.

The money raised doesn’t tell the whole story, however, as both campaigns have outside groups spending approximately $1 million each to influence the election.