HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Connecticut's race for lieutenant governor is heating up, stoked by claims of racism and personal attacks in the three-way Republican primary.

Typically in statewide elections, the races for governor and U.S. Senate are where the most political punches are thrown. But with the availability of public campaign financing, more candidates are choosing to run for lieutenant governor, raising the stakes for the state's No. 2 job.

The candidates in this year's GOP primary include the party-endorsed candidate, Penny Bacchiochi (BAH'-kee-ah-kee), former Groton Town Mayor Heather Somers and former U.S. Comptroller David Walker.

Somers has been running radio ads targeting Bacchiochi, criticizing her support of medical marijuana and Bacchiochi's earlier accusations of a whisper campaign about her being married to a black man. Somers says it's part of vetting a candidate.