Shays: Double or nothing

20120521-113037.jpg

Chomping at the bit to avenge his distant second-place finish at the state Republican convention, Christopher Shays will file paperwork this afternoon to primary Senate front runner Linda McMahon.

The former congressman is scheduled to submit his primary forms with the secretary of the state at 1 p.m. in Hartford, according to his campaign.

Shays garnered 32 percent of the vote in a five-way race at Friday’s convention, more than double the 15 percent needed to force a primary.

McMahon won 60 percent of the delegates, capturing her second convention victory in the past two years for the same office.

Shays’ inner circle is pinning its hopes on non-establishment Republicans choosing the candidate that his campaign feels is more electable, as well as registering unaffiliated voters to become Republicans for the primary.

McMahon, judging from her convention night comments, views Shays as a worthy sparring partner who will be good practice for the other Chris, Democratic endorsee Chris Murphy.

Neil Vigdor