The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS - Rep. Todd Akin has reiterated his intention to stay in the Missouri Senate race after making comments that women's bodies can prevent pregnancies in cases of "legitimate rape."
Akin told former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee on a Tuesday radio show that he was staying in because there were people who feel they aren't represented by the major political parties.
He also reaffirmed his stand as an anti-abortion lawmaker.
Akin has been frantically trying to salvage his once-promising bid against incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in a race long targeted by the GOP as crucial to regaining control of the Senate.
He has vowed to soldier on despite the fact that five patriarchs of the Missouri Republican Party have called on Akin to withdraw from the race.
The joint statement was issued Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt and four former senators from Missouri - John Ashcroft, Kit Bond, Jim Talent and John Danforth. The Missouri GOP leaders say they "do not believe it serves the national interest for Congressman Akin to remain in the race."
National Republican leaders have also called for him to quit.
But Akin reaffirmed his intention to continue his bid while speaking on radio shows Tuesday afternoon.
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