HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Former wrestling executive Linda McMahon has taken the lead among Connecticut Republicans running for the U.S. Senate, but is trailing Democrat Richard Blumenthal in the general election race, according to a poll released Wednesday.

The Quinnipiac University Poll shows McMahon with the support of 44 percent of Republicans. Former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons garners 34 percent while Fairfield County money manager Peter Schiff has 9 percent. Twelve percent of registered Republicans say they're undecided.It's a blow to Simmons, who led Sen. Chris Dodd in the polls until the veteran Democrat announced his retirement in January. And while Simmons trailed Blumenthal in a Quinnipiac Poll conducted in January, he also had been ahead of McMahon.

It's a blow to Simmons, who led Sen. Chris Dodd in the polls until the veteran Democrat announced his retirement in January. And while Simmons trailed Blumenthal in a Quinnipiac Poll conducted in January, he also had been ahead of McMahon."What explains Linda McMahon's rise in the polls? Money," said Poll Director Douglas Schwartz. "She is the only Senate candidate on TV right now. She quickly has become as well-known and well-liked among Republicans as the former front-runner."

"What explains Linda McMahon's rise in the polls? Money," said Poll Director Douglas Schwartz. "She is the only Senate candidate on TV right now. She quickly has become as well-known and well-liked among Republicans as the former front-runner."But in a potential general election matchup, McMahon trails Blumenthal, 61 percent to 28 percent.

But in a potential general election matchup, McMahon trails Blumenthal, 61 percent to 28 percent.Blumenthal, the state attorney general, is leading Simmons, 62 to 26 percent, and Schiff, 64 to 21 percent, in other potential general election races.

Blumenthal, the state attorney general, is leading Simmons, 62 to 26 percent, and Schiff, 64 to 21 percent, in other potential general election races.Blumenthal is far ahead of his rival for the Democratic nomination, Mystic businessman Merrick Alpert, 81 to 6 percent.

Blumenthal is far ahead of his rival for the Democratic nomination, Mystic businessman Merrick Alpert, 81 to 6 percent.From March 9 to 15, Quinnipiac interviewed 1,451 registered voters by telephone. Of those, 549 were Democrats and 387 were Republicans.

From March 9 to 15, Quinnipiac interviewed 1,451 registered voters by telephone. Of those, 549 were Democrats and 387 were Republicans.The poll has a sampling error margin of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. For the questions asked of Republicans, the margin of sampling error is plus or minus 5 percentage points. For the Democrats, it's plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.

The poll has a sampling error margin of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. For the questions asked of Republicans, the margin of sampling error is plus or minus 5 percentage points. For the Democrats, it's plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, has said she's willing to spend up to $50 million of her own money on the race. She is currently running ads on television detailing her background and has peppered Republicans with mailers, many of which take aim at Simmons.

McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, has said she's willing to spend up to $50 million of her own money on the race. She is currently running ads on television detailing her background and has peppered Republicans with mailers, many of which take aim at Simmons.The poll showed that 46 percent of voters prefer a candidate who funds their campaign mostly with private contributions while 36 percent said they prefer a candidate who self-funds their race.

The poll showed that 46 percent of voters prefer a candidate who funds their campaign mostly with private contributions while 36 percent said they prefer a candidate who self-funds their race.Twenty-three percent of those surveyed said they consider themselves to be supporters of the tea party movement.

Twenty-three percent of those surveyed said they consider themselves to be supporters of the tea party movement.