HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Linda McMahon, the Republican candidate for Connecticut’s Senate seat, is distancing herself from remarks made by GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney about how 47 percent of Americans depend on government and believe they are victims and entitled to benefits.

McMahon posted a statement on Facebook Tuesday, saying she disagrees with Romney’s comments and knows the vast majority who rely on government ‘‘are not in that situation because they want to be.’’

McMahon, a wealthy former executive, said she’s ‘‘sympathetic to the struggles that millions of Americans are going through’’ because she and her husband once lost their home and car in a bankruptcy.