HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Former wrestling executive Linda McMahon is running again as an outsider for the U.S. Senate after losing her first bid two years ago.

She's won over Connecticut's Republican faithful since then but still faces a challenge from former GOP Rep. Christopher Shays in the state's Aug. 14 primary.

McMahon lost by 12 percentage points to Democrat Richard Blumenthal in the race to succeed Democrat Chris Dodd in what was a big election for Republicans in 2010.

Shays and his Washington-based GOP establishment supporters say her chances of winning in November aren't any better this time around in a Democratic-leaning state like Connecticut.

McMahon dismisses that notion. She says Shays' experience as a House member for 20 years is why voters should reject him.