The Senate race pitting former World Wrestling Entertainment executive Linda McMahon (R) against state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) appears set to become more competitive than expected.

Blumenthal led McMahon, a political newcomer who has already devoted tens of millions of dollars of her personal fortune to the bid, 51 percent to 45 percent in a Quinnipiac University survey of 875 likely voters Sept. 8-12. The margin of error was 3.3 points.

The poll also found President Barack Obama’s job approval rating was a net negative: 45 percent to 52 percent.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee responded with a poll of its own that gives Blumenthal a more comfortable lead, 54 percent to 39 percent. The poll was taken over the same time period.

But the DSCC would not release the full survey, conducted by the Democratic polling firm Hamilton Campaigns. Selected portions of the poll of 800 likely voters suggest that McMahon has significant challenges if she hopes to win the seat long held by retiring Sen. Chris Dodd (D).

For example, just 48 percent of respondents had a favorable view of McMahon, and just 21 percent said they view the WWE favorably, according to the DSCC poll. McMahon led the wrestling organization for years before stepping aside to run for office.