Elections

Romney calls on Akin to get out of Senate race

Alexis Levinson Political Reporter
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In a Tuesday afternoon statement Mitt Romney called on Republican Rep. Todd Akin to pull out of the Missouri Senate race.

“As I said yesterday, Todd Akin’s comments were offensive and wrong and he should very seriously consider what course would be in the best interest of our country,” Romney said. “Today, his fellow Missourians urged him to step aside, and I think he should accept their counsel and exit the Senate race.”

The Republican presidential candidate previously condemned Akin for saying that victims of “legitimate rape” rarely get pregnant.

In a Monday interview Romney said, “[Akin’s] comments on rape are insulting, inexcusable, and, frankly, wrong.”

Akin has repeatedly insisted over the past 48 hours that he will not withdraw from his race against Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, in spite of pressure from fellow Republicans to do so.

If Akin does not withdraw by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, he has until September 25 to petition for a court order to remove his name from the ballot.

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