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Todd Akin

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Todd Akin, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 2025
Todd Akin
Born (1947-07-05) 5 July 1947 (age 79)
New York City, U.S.
Died3 October 2021(2021-10-03) (aged 74)
Occupation(s)Politician, businessman
Years active1988–2013
Known forU.S. Representative from Missouri (2001–2013); 2012 U.S. Senate candidate

William Todd Akin (July 5, 1947 – October 3, 2021) was an American public official who represented Missouri in the United States House of Representatives from 2001 until 2013. Affiliated with the Republican Party, Akin was born in New York City but grew up in the Greater St. Louis region. After completing his undergraduate studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, he served with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and gained professional experience in the steel and computer sectors. In 1988, he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, where he served until 2000 before winning a seat in the U.S. Congress.

Akin’s tenure in Congress concluded following his failed 2012 campaign for the U.S. Senate against the Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill. Although he initially led in polls after securing a win in a crowded Republican primary, his campaign was derailed by contentious comments regarding "legitimate rape" and its relation to pregnancy. Despite issuing an apology, he chose not to withdraw from the race and was ultimately defeated by McCaskill with a margin of 54.7% to 39.2%. In a book published in 2014, Akin stood by his earlier statements and expressed remorse over having apologized.

Early life, education, and business career

Born in New York City and raised near St. Louis, Akin was the son of Nancy Perry (née Bigelow) and Paul Bigelow Akin. His lineage included Thomas Russell Akin, his great-grandfather, who established Laclede Steel Corporation in 1911. The family business was passed down to his father Paul, a third-generation graduate of Harvard University and a Navy officer during World War II.

Akin completed his secondary education at John Burroughs School in St. Louis before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1970. He served as an engineering officer within both the U.S. Army National Guard and Army Reserve until 1980. Following active military service, he worked as a sales representative for large-scale computer systems at IBM and also managed his family’s steel enterprise. In 1984, he obtained a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Covenant Theological Seminary, where he studied Greek, Hebrew, and conservative Christian theology; however, he did not pursue ordination or ministry.

Akin was deeply involved in anti-abortion activism throughout his life, holding a position on the board of Missouri Right to Life. Between 1985 and 1988, he faced arrest on at least eight occasions during nonviolent protests at abortion clinics across Illinois and Missouri. During these demonstrations, he identified himself as "William Akin," whereas his later political campaigns used "Todd Akin." He consistently refused to apologize for his activism or convictions.

Elections

In November 1988, Akin secured election to the Missouri House of Representatives without opposition, representing District 85 in West County. He successfully defended his seat in 1990 with 59% of votes cast. Following redistricting changes, he represented District 86 starting in 1993 through to 2000, maintaining electoral margins above 66%.

Tenure

Throughout his twelve-year service in the state legislature, Akin served on the House Ways and Means Committee. His legislative priorities included defending homeschooling rights, advocating for concealed carry laws, opposing taxes on parks and soil conservation sales, and voting against tax increases and higher education spending proposed in 1993. Additionally, he introduced legislation aimed at banning casino companies from making contributions to Missouri legislators. In 1995, Akin engaged in a dispute with Democratic governor Mel Carnahan over state funding for school nurses; the governor vetoed a bill due to an amendment introduced by Akin that prevented nurses from providing students with information about abortion services.

Elections

In the 2000 election cycle, Akin secured the Republican nomination to succeed Jim Talent in the House, benefiting from low voter turnout caused by heavy rainfall. He narrowly edged out well-known contenders Gene McNary and Franc Flotron by a margin of 56 votes. In the general election, Akin defeated Democratic state senator Ted House with 55% of the vote and subsequently won reelection five times, including a decisive 67.9% victory in 2010.

Tenure

During his time in office, Akin received a 96% rating from the American Conservative Union in 2008 and achieved a perfect score in 2007. Although his district did not encompass St. Louis, he was frequently identified as "R-St. Louis" throughout much of his congressional career.

Social issues

Akin maintained an unwavering opposition to abortion under all circumstances, including cases of rape and incest, and was against embryonic stem cell research. In 2008, he sparked controversy by labeling abortion providers as "terrorists" and asserting that some abortions were performed on women who were not actually pregnant.

He championed gun rights, earning an A rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund, and supported a federal prohibition on online poker by co-sponsoring legislation such as the Goodlatte-Leach Internet Gambling Prohibition Act (H.R. 4411) and H.R. 4777.

As the author of the Protect the Pledge (of Allegiance) Act, Akin objected to NBC’s omission of "under God" from a Pledge of Allegiance broadcast clip, associating liberalism with resistance to public acknowledgments of God—a claim for which he later issued an apology.

During his 2012 Senate bid, Akin reiterated his opposition to laws like the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which he had opposed while serving in Congress. He also resisted the No Child Left Behind Act, advocating instead for educational authority to remain at the local level rather than under federal control.

Fiscal issues

In his early congressional years, Akin secured earmarks benefiting his district and supported raising the debt ceiling, as well as funding wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through off-budget mechanisms. He also backed the unfunded Medicare prescription drug benefit. Over time, he shifted to opposing increases in taxes and government spending. In 2007, he voted against expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), expressing concerns about coverage caps and lack of citizenship verification; he argued such expansion would undermine private healthcare and lead toward socialized medicine. He opposed federally subsidized school meals, criticized student loans as "a stage-three cancer of socialism," and voted against raising the minimum wage. Akin was a vocal opponent of the 2008 financial bailout package and cast a vote against it. Additionally, he opposed the Affordable Health Care Act enacted in 2010 and voted against Paul Ryan's fiscal budget proposal in 2012.

Military issues

Akin concentrated on matters related to military personnel and veterans, serving as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, which oversees Navy and Air Force operations. He held the position of Ranking Republican on both this subcommittee and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. He sponsored veterans-focused legislation, including the Open Burn Pit Registry Act designed to monitor exposure risks for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Akin also opposed repealing the Dover Policy that limits media coverage of returning military caskets, citing reasons related to privacy and respect for service members.

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

2012 U.S. Senate election

In May 2011, Akin declared his intention to seek the 2012 Republican nomination to challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill. The primary contenders included businessman John Brunner, author and executive Mark Memoly, and former Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman, who garnered backing from the Tea Party movement. Despite a competitive field, Akin won the nomination with 36% of the vote, narrowly surpassing his closest competitor who received 30%. During the primaries, McCaskill’s campaign allocated $2 million to portray Akin as excessively conservative for Missouri voters.

In the general election, Akin competed against McCaskill and Libertarian Jonathan Dine but was defeated following backlash over his controversial rape-related remarks, which severely undermined his support. In 2012, National Journal identified Akin as one of ten Republicans worth following on Twitter.

Home of record

Concerns about Akin's official voting residence surfaced in May 2011. Although he had consistently claimed Town and Country as his home, reports revealed that he relocated to Wildwood between 2007 and 2009 after acquiring a second property. Despite this move, he continued to vote as a Town and Country resident, signing a polling place log in April 2011 affirming that address.

Comments on rape and pregnancy

On August 19, 2012, during an interview on St. Louis television station KTVI, Akin asserted that victims of "legitimate rape" seldom become pregnant because the female body supposedly "shuts that whole thing down." He further stated that any punishment should be directed at the rapist rather than the resulting child.

These statements, made while campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat held by Claire McCaskill, ignited widespread condemnation. The term "legitimate rape" was criticized for implying some rapes are less valid or serious. Medical experts rejected his claims regarding pregnancy rates as unfounded fringe theories.

The remarks were widely viewed as both misogynistic and inaccurate. Scientific data indicate that approximately 5% of rape victims in the United States become pregnant annually, contradicting Akin’s assertion. Research also suggests that pregnancy may be more likely following rape than consensual intercourse.

While figures such as Congressman Steve King and Tennessee state senator Stacey Campfield defended Akin’s comments, many senior politicians across party lines denounced them. Numerous Republicans called for his resignation amid mounting criticism.

Akin characterized his statements as a "gaffe" and issued an apology in a campaign advertisement:

Rape was an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize... The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy... The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness.

This controversy dealt a severe blow to Akin’s Senate bid and impacted Republican hopes of securing a Senate majority by shifting attention toward divisive social issues shortly before the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Election outcome

Although Akin was initially considered the favorite over McCaskill, he was defeated in the November 2012 election, garnering 39.2% of the vote compared to her 54.7%. The loss was primarily linked to a negative reaction from female voters and represented the first electoral defeat in his career. From November 2012 through August 2013, Akin collected $111,000 in contributions, some of which were intended for a potential 2018 Senate primary bid, despite leaving office on January 3, 2013.

Consequences

In July 2014, WND Books released Akin's work titled Firing Back: Taking on the Party Bosses and Media Elite to Protect Our Faith and Freedom. Within it, he expressed remorse over issuing an apology, arguing that it only reinforced the misinterpretation of his statements. The book leveled criticism at numerous Republicans—including Karl Rove, Rob Jesmer, Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, John McCain, Roy Blunt, Lindsey Graham, and John Boehner—for abandoning him. He further denounced the Republican leadership for exploiting his comments to oust him in favor of a more acceptable candidate and accused the liberal press of conducting a "media assassination."

Personal background

Akin wed Lulli Boe, an alumna of Hollins University, in June 1975. Together they raised six children who were all educated at home under Lulli's guidance. Three of their sons attended the U.S. Naval Academy and became officers in the U.S. Marine Corps; one participated in the Fallujah offensive in Iraq. The family resided for many years in Akin’s childhood residence located in the affluent Town and Country area of Missouri. When his father decided to subdivide the 8.5-acre estate in the late 2000s, Akin moved to a nearby home in Wildwood.

Health issues and passing

In April 2001, Akin underwent surgery to treat early-stage prostate cancer. He passed away due to cancer at his residence on October 3, 2021, at the age of 74.

Electoral record

... [Table continues with similar format and data for subsequent years and offices] ...
Year Office Republican Democratic Libertarian Ref
Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes %
1988 Missouri House, Dist. 85 Todd Akin 14,538 100% None 0 0 None 0 0
1990 Missouri House, Dist. 85 Todd Akin 6,815 59% Chris Liese 4,656 41% None 0 0
1992 Missouri House, Dist. 86 Todd Akin 14,809 100% None 0 0

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