Hartford - Republican candidates have begun to surface in the state's 2012 U.S. Senate race, with two well-known possible contenders expressing serious interest about seeking the seat now held by the retiring Joe Lieberman.

Former wrestling executive and 2010 Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon told The Associated Press on Friday that she's "leaning strongly" toward getting into the race. McMahon, who lost in 2010 to Democrat Richard Blumenthal after spending about $50 million of her own money, said she's working with political consultants to "evaluate what's the best thing to do" and "what makes sense."

She said she expects to solidify that decision over the next four to six weeks.

"Clearly I'm leaning strongly towards getting into the race," she said.

The state's new Republican chairman, Jerry Labriola Jr., told the AP that he has also spoken to former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays. He said Shays also is interested in seeking the GOP's nomination for the U.S. Senate.

"They've expressed to me that they are each very serious about entering in the race," Labriola said. "It seems that they're both moving in that direction."

Messages were left seeking comment with Shays, who represented the 4th Congressional District until 2009, when he lost to Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Himes.

Hartford attorney Brian K. Hill already announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination. According to the Federal Election Commission, he had $19,752 in cash on hand as of June 30.

Vernon Mayor Jason McCoy recently announced that he's exploring a GOP run for Senate. Labriola said he has also spoken to former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker, who's contemplating a run.

"As state chairman, I'm very pleased with the quality of candidates emerging for the race for U.S. Senate," he said. "I believe it's a testament to the opportunity that our candidates are sensing and to the failed economic policies of the president and his Democrat allies."

Several Democrats have been in the race for months.

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, who represents the state's 5th Congressional District, leads the group when it comes to fundraising. As of June 30, his campaign had $1.6 million in cash on hand. Former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz had $720,654 in cash, and state Rep. William Tong had $527,011.

Lieberman, an independent, announced in January that he would not seek re-election.

The 2012 race marks the second consecutive one for an open U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut. As in 2010, when Blumenthal won the seat held by former Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd, the 2012 race is expected to attract a lot of national attention.