The “Linda” Senate Races

Two Republican females are running for U.S. Senate in 2012 against not so favorable odds, and they are both named Linda. Linda McMahon is running for Senate in Connecticut and Linda Lingle is running for Senate in Hawaii. Both states are blue… very blue. Hawaii hasn’t elected a Republican to the Senate since 1970, and has never elected a woman to the post. This year that will change because the two candidates running for U.S. Senate in Hawaii are both female. Whether a Republican can win remains to be seen, but Linda Lingle is a former Governor and has won statewide election before. Lingle appeals to Independents and moderate voters from both parties. However, running in Hawaii during a presidential year will be tough since this is President Obama’s home state.

Linda McMahon is the former CEO of WWE and ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2010. This year she’s back, she’s more disciplined and is narrowly leading in a handful of polls. She’s running against Democratic congressman Chris Murphy. McMahon has secured the Independent Party line on the ballot and as a result will appear twice, an obvious advantage, but running for office in Connecticut in a presidential year will be a challenge just as it is in Hawaii. Both women are waging competitive campaigns and are fighting for a chance to go to Washington in January. They will have to overcome the deep blue roots of their home states in order to win, and while it may not be likely, it is certainly not impossible.