Well, maybe warms up, or even simmers up, is a better way to phrase it. But former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT), after dropping out of the race for the Republican nod to run for the seat being abandoned by Chris Dodd (D-CT), is back for a last-ditch challenge to front-runner Linda McMahon.
Simmons recently made a television buy in the state, but called it strictly a PSA. But his eventual return to the race made successful political prognosticators out of those who thought the buy signaled re-entry.
Not that anybody expects that Simmons can overcome former WWE CEO McMahon and the $20M plus she’s already spent on the race. She drove Simmons out of the race earlier by winning the state party’s endorsement to run for the seat.
According to CQ Roll Call, a recent Quinnipiac University poll of likely Republican primary voters puts McMahon ahead of Simmons 52%-25%, with a third candidate, Peter Schiff, picking up 13%.
The primary is scheduled for Tuesday 8/10/10.
RBR-TVBR observation: Will Simmons’ return unleash a brief advertising windfall? We don’t know, but there does appear to be at least a little cash available. According to the FEC, as of 6/30/10 McMahon had $3.2M cash on hand, compared to $885K for Simmons and $484K for Schiff.
