Rob Simmons Finally Says It: 'I Am Running For The United States Senate' (Again)

Former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT) boldly declared Tuesday night that he is officially back and running in the Connecticut Senate race -- though on the other hand, he also joked that he should have edited that statement.

Simmons, who suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination in late May but has recently gone back on the air -- with an ad reminding voters, as he likes to say, that he's "still on the ballot" -- showed up last night for a debate with another candidate, financial commentator Peter Schiff. The frontrunner for the Republican nomination, former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, was not present.

"I'm Rob Simmons. I am running for the United States Senate, because I love my country, and I don't like where it's going," said Simmons. As the Connecticut Mirror reports: "But Simmons was playful after the debate concerning his status: 'I should have edited that old opening statement.'"

The Republican primary will be held on August 10. The TPM Poll Average for the primary shows McMahon with a lead of 43.4%-29.6% over Simmons, plus 10.0% for Schiff. In the general election, McMahon trails Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal by 52.5%-38.8%, and Simmons trails Blumenthal by 52.7%-35.7%.