Senate

Chris Murphy and Linda McMahon repeated many of the same accusations in their first debate on Sunday that have been taking over the airwaves in the past few weeks.

According to the Huffington Post:

The sparring over Medicare repeated a pattern that had emerged far earlier in the debate: rarely did the candidates' responses to questions stray from predetermined national talking points and scripted zingers.

There were no knockout moments on Sunday. Murphy and McMahon replayed battles that have been fought ad nauseum over the course of the race. Murphy hit McMahon for her bankruptcy, while McMahon criticized Murphy over his mortgage troubles. The two also argued over the Murphy campaign's claim that much of McMahon's jobs plan was cribbed from outside sources.

The candidates debate again on Oct. 11 from 7-8 p.m. at the University of Connecticut. Two more are planned after the Oct. 11 debate.

Fourth District

The national unemployment rate dropped somewhat unexpectedly to 7.8 percent last week. In light of the news, Jim Himes and Steve Obsitnikoffered their views on the economy – and how to improve the recovery – in this article by The Hour.

Other Districts

Third District

Wayne Winsley told the Hartford Courant that he’s the “right candidate at the right time” to unseat long-time incumbent Rosa DeLauro.

DeLauro reportedly declined an interview with the Hartford Courant, but issued a statement saying, "I have focused on such issues as job creation, health care, equal pay, nutrition and food safety. I will continue my efforts to rebuild our economy and the middle class, and to create jobs."

Fifth District

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner is coming to Hartford to raise money for fellow Republican Andrew Roraback on Tuesday. According to the News Times, the maximum contribution allowed at the fundraising event is $2,500. Roraback’s opponent, Elizabeth Esty, criticized the planned visit in a letter to supporters.

“We know that if elected, Roraback will cast his first vote to keep Mr. Boehner as Speaker - he's said he will - and that means the same Tea Party Republicans who are there now will chair the committees and set the agenda in the House for two more years,” said Brian Weeks, of the Esty campaign.