2012 United States Senate election in Missouri

none March 2026 December 2017 2012 United States Senate election in Missouri Missouri presidential no 2006 United States Senate election in Missouri 2006 2018 United States Senate election in Missouri 2018 2012 11 6 64.75% 150x150px File:Claire McCaskill, Official portrait, 112th Congress.jpg Claire McCaskill Democratic Party (United States) 1,494,125 54.81% File:Todd Akin.jpg Todd Akin Republican Party (United States) 1,066,159 39.11% 3x4.svg Jonathan Dine Libertarian Party (United States) 165,468 6.07% 276px County results 276px| Congressional district results 276px Precinct results McCaskill: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% #3933E5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%Akin: #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80%Tie: #D2B1D9 40–50% U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill Democratic Party (United States) Claire McCaskill Democratic Party (United States) The 2012 United States Senate election in Missouri was held on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 presidential election, elections to the United States Senate in other states, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent senator Claire McCaskill was unopposed in the Democratic primary, and U.S. Representative Todd Akin won the Republican nomination with a plurality in a close three-way race. McCaskill's campaign purposely elevated Akin's chances in the primary, under the belief he would be the easiest candidate to defeat in the general election, due to his extreme views on social issues and strong religious views.Mccaskill Sen Claire 2015-08-11 How I Helped Todd Akin Win — So I Could Beat Him Later https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/08/todd-akin-missouri-claire-mccaskill-2012-121262/ 2025-04-22 POLITICO Magazine en Years prior, many forecasters had considered McCaskill to be the most vulnerable Democratic senator seeking re-election in 2012, due to her low approval ratings and the state's rightward trend, with most analysts expecting a Republican pick-up. However, this election received considerable media coverage, due to controversial comments made by the eventual Republican nominee, Akin, most notably his claim that women could not get pregnant from rape. This led most analysts to reclassify the race as a "toss-up",Kondik Larry J. Sabato and Kyle 2012-08-23 Rating changes: Two new toss-ups https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/rating-changes-two-new-toss-ups/ 2025-05-18 Sabato's Crystal Ball en-US and caused many major Republican Party figures to rescind their endorsements, demand Akin withdraw from the election, and cut off fundraising. Throughout most of the fall, the race continued to trend in McCaskill's favor and was reclassified as a likely Democratic hold. McCaskill handily won a second term, with backlash against Akin from women, particularly suburban white women, being cited as the main reason. This marked the first time where an incumbent senator was reelected to Missouri's Class 1 seat since 1988. As of , this was the last time the Democrats won a U.S. Senate election in Missouri. Background In 2006, Claire McCaskill was elected with 49.6% of the vote, narrowly defeating Republican incumbent Jim Talent. Democratic primary Incumbent senator Claire McCaskill ran unopposed in the Democratic primary election. Candidates Nominee Claire McCaskill, incumbent U.S. senatorhttp://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=228846 Senator Claire McCaskill says Washington more polarized, voters more cynical November 24, 2010 November 24, 2010 KSDK-TV Kay Quinnhttp://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_cfdf9382-0ed6-11e0-9e80-0017a4a78c22.html McCaskill: "I will have to work very hard" to get re-elected December 23, 2010 December 23, 2010 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Bill Lambrecht Results Democratic primary resultshttp://enrarchives.sos.mo.gov/enrnet/default.aspx?eid=750002299 State of Missouri - Primary Election - August 7, 2012 MO Secretary of State August 8, 2012 January 1, 2018 Claire McCaskill (incumbent) Democratic Party (United States) 289,481 100.00 289,481 100.00 Republican primary The Republican primary election for the United States Senate in Missouri, held on August 7, 2012, was one of the three most anticipated of the summer of 2012. This was due to the projected closeness of the federal races in Missouri in November 2012, and the potential to change the control of the Senate in January 2013.https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/primary-day-five-things-watch-for-in-missouri-michigan-and-washington/2012/08/07/05004d62-e000-11e1-8fc5-a7dcf1fc161d_blog.html Primary day: Five things watch for in Missouri, Michigan and Washington Aaron Blake Sean Sullivan The Washington Post August 7, 2012 August 7, 2012 Democrats believed that Todd Akin would be the weakest among the likely challengers for the Senate seat, and ads attacking him as "too conservative" were largely viewed as veiled support for his nomination.https://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/08/mccaskill-ad-calls-akin-too-conservative-for-missouri-131032 McCaskill ad calls Akin 'too conservative' for Missouri Schultheis Emily August 3, 2012 Politico August 22, 2012https://www.politico.com/story/2012/07/mccaskill-meddles-in-gop-primary-078737 McCaskill meddles in GOP primary POLITICO 2018-06-04 enhttp://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/is-claire-mccaskill-helping-todd-akin-in-the-gop-primary/article_5b4c2bcc-85d0-5893-820e-ebad045fe159.html Is Claire McCaskill helping Todd Akin in the GOP primary? Kevin McDermott Nicholas J.C. Pistor St. Louis Post-Dispatch August 2012 November 3, 2018 In McCaskill's memoir, she revealed that she also influenced the Akin campaign by providing polling information, which some election law experts later felt was a violation of regulations against coordination.https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article30939288.html McCaskill-Akin tale raising questions in legal, political communities Helling Dave August 12, 2015 Kansas City Star March 10, 2024 Candidates Nominee Todd Akin, U.S. representativehttps://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/91499-rep-akin-sets-up-a-republican-primary-fight-in-missouris-senate-race/ Rep. Akin joins Missouri Senate race, setting up primary fight May 17, 2011 May 17, 2011 The Hill Sean Miller Eliminated in primary Jerry Beckhttp://www.callnewspapers.com/Articles-Impact-News-i-2012-05-23-260508.112112-Business-perspective-needed-in-Washington-Brunner-says.html Business perspective needed in Washington, Brunner says May 23, 2012 June 8, 2012 Call Newspapers Kari Williams https://web.archive.org/web/20130623025741/http://www.callnewspapers.com/Articles-Impact-News-i-2012-05-23-260508.112112-Business-perspective-needed-in-Washington-Brunner-says.html June 23, 2013 dead mdy-all John Brunner, businessmanWagman Jake http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_76369032-ede3-11e0-83a9-0019bb30f31a.html Frontenac Republican joins Senate race, aims to unseat McCaskill St. Louis Post-Dispatch October 3, 2011 August 20, 2012Miller Joshua http://www.rollcall.com/news/John-Brunner-MIssouri-Senate-2012-announce-McCaskill-209115-1.html?pos=hln Brunner Enters Missouri Senate Race Roll Call October 3, 2011 August 20, 2012 February 16, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120216022526/http://www.rollcall.com/news/John-Brunner-MIssouri-Senate-2012-announce-McCaskill-209115-1.html?pos=hln dead Mark Lodes Hector Maldonado Mark Memoly, author and businessman Robert Poole Sarah Steelman, former state treasurer, former state senator and candidate for governor in 2008https://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2010/12/inaugural-scoop-steelman-files-for-senate-031077 Inaugural scoop: Steelman files for Senate December 1, 2010 December 1, 2010 Politico David Catanese Declined Jo Ann Emerson, U.S. representativehttps://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2011/02/emerson-to-pass-on-senate-bid-033578 Emerson to pass on Senate bid February 22, 2011 February 23, 2011 Politico David Catanese Sam Graves, U.S. representativehttp://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_bc32f86c-2fea-11e0-b731-0017a4a78c22.html Sam Graves says no to running for U.S. Senate February 3, 2011 February 3, 2011 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Jake Wagman Peter Kinder, lieutenant governor (running for reelection)Catanese David https://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2011/11/kinder-endorses-dave-spence-040947?showall Kinder endorses Dave Spence Politico November 18, 2011 August 20, 2012 Blaine Luetkemeyer, U.S. representativehttp://www.rollcall.com/news/luetkemeyer_will_not_seek_missouri_senate_bid-205595-1.html Luetkemeyer Will Not Seek Missouri Senate Bid May 13, 2011 May 13, 2011 Roll Call Joshua Miller Ed Martin, attorney (running for Missouri attorney general)https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/90625-missouri-republican-ed-martin-shifts-to-house-race-instead-of-senate-bid/ Missouri Republican Ed Martin shifts to House race instead of Senate bid May 9, 2011 May 9, 2011 The Hill Shane D'Aprile Tom Schweich, state auditorTrygstad Kyle http://atr.rollcall.com/missouri-no-senate-bid-for-tom-schweich/ Missouri: No Senate Bid for Tom Schweich Roll Call March 20, 2012 August 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120818064441/http://atr.rollcall.com/missouri-no-senate-bid-for-tom-schweich/ August 18, 2012 dead Jim Talent, former U.S. senatorhttp://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_796b7796-2a47-11e0-8531-00127992bc8b.html Talent says no to Missouri Senate bid January 27, 2011 January 27, 2011 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Bill Lambrecht Ann Wagner, former U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg and former Missouri Republican Party chairwoman (running for Congress)Miller Joshua http://www.rollcall.com/news/Ann-Wagner-Missouri-2nd-district-exploratory-205146-1.html?pos=hln Wagner Moves Toward Bid for Akin's Seat in Missouri Roll Call April 26, 2011 August 20, 2012Wagman Jake http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_a29826c6-701c-11e0-bf1b-001a4bcf6878.html Ann Wagner moves toward Congressional run St. Louis Post-Dispatch April 26, 2011 August 20, 2012Miller Joshua http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_47/ann_wagner_definitively_rules_out_senate_bid-209740-1.html Ann Wagner Definitively Rules Out Senate Bid Roll Call October 25, 2011 August 20, 2012 Endorsements Todd Akin Individuals Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, 2012 presidential candidate (R-MN) Congressman Jeb Hensarling, vice chair of Committee on Financial Services (R-TX) State Representative Kurt Bahr Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas and 2008 presidential candidateLivingston Abby http://atr.rollcall.com/conservative-senators-pick-sides-in-texas-missouri-and-maine-primaries/ Conservative Senators Pick Sides in Texas, Missouri and Maine Primaries Roll Call March 29, 2012 August 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120816225248/http://atr.rollcall.com/conservative-senators-pick-sides-in-texas-missouri-and-maine-primaries/ August 16, 2012 dead http://www.akin.org/endorsements Todd Akin's Latest Endorsements | Todd Akin for U.S. Senate 2012 | Missouri Akin.org August 20, 2012 Congressman Jim Jordan, chair of Republican Study Committee (R-OH) Congressman Steve King (R-IA) Phyllis Schlafly, president of Eagle Forum Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) John Brunner Individuals August Busch III, former chairman of Anheuser-Busch U.S. senator Tom Coburn (Oklahoma) U.S. senator Ron Johnson (Wisconsin) Organizations FreedomWorks John Deere Missouri Pork Association Missouri Soybean Association United States Chamber of Commerce Sarah Steelman Individuals Rep. Jay Barnes (Jefferson City) Rep. T.J. Berry (Kearney) Rep. Eric Burlison (Springfield) Rep. Steve Cookson (Fairdealing) Rep. Sandy Crawford (Buffalo) Jane Cunningham, state senatorYokley Eli http://politicmo.com/2012/07/20/cunningham-backs-steelman-senate-bid/ Cunningham backs Steelman Senate bid Politicmo.com July 20, 2012 August 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120725114458/http://politicmo.com/2012/07/20/cunningham-backs-steelman-senate-bid/ July 25, 2012 dead mdy-all Rep. David Day (Dixon) Rep. Charlie Denison (Springfield) Rep. Tonny Dugger (Hartfield) Rep. Kevin Elmer (Nixa) Rep. Paul Fitzwater (Potosi) Rep. Diane Franklin (Camdenton) Rep. Ward Franz (West Plains) Rep. Keith Frederick (Rolla) Rep. Jeff Grisamore (Lee's Summit) Rep. Casey Guernsey (Bethany) Rep. Kent Hampton (Malden) Rep. Galen Higdon (St. Joseph) Rep. Dave Hinson (St. Clair) Rep. Denny Hoskins (Warrensburg) Rep. Lincoln Hough (Springfield) Rep. Caleb Jones (California) Rep. Delus Johnson (St. Joseph) Rep. Shelley Keeney (Marble Hill) Rep. Mike Lair (Chillicothe) Rep. Bill Lant (Joplin) Rep. Scott Largent (Clinton) Rep. Mike Leara (St. Louis) U.S. Senator Mike Lee (Utah) Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (Jackson) Rep. Tom Loehner (Koeltztown) Rep. Thomas Long (Battlefield) Rep. Mike McGhee (Odessa) Rep. Chris Molendorp (Belton) Rep. Myron Neth (Liberty) Former Alaska governor Sarah Palinhttp://www.sarahsteelman.com/article/governor-palin-endorses-steelman-in-republican-senate-primary Governor Palin Endorses Sarah Steelman in Republican Senate Primary Sarahsteelman.com July 17, 2012 August 20, 2012 Rep. Don Phillips (Kimberling City) Rep. Darrell Pollock (Lebanon) Rep. Craig Redmon (Canton) Rep. Lyle Rowland (Cedar Creek) Rep. Don Ruzicka (Mount Vernon) Rep. Jason Smith (Salem) Rep. Sheila Solon (Blue Springs) Rep. Mike Thomson (Maryville) Rep. Steven Tilley, speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives Rep. Noel Torpey (Independence) Rep. Don Wells (Cabool) Rep. Ray Weter (Nixa) Rep. Billy Pat Wright (Dexter) Rep. Anne Zerr (St. Charles)http://www.sarahsteelman.com/news-center/endorsements Leaders All Across Missouri and America are Supporting Sarah Steelman for U.S. Senate! Sarah Steelman August 20, 2012 Organizations Tea Party Expresshttp://www.teapartyexpress.org/2012-endorsements 2012 Endorsements January 27, 2012 Tea Party Express August 20, 2012 Susan B. Anthony Listhttp://www.sba-list.org/endorsed-candidates/sarah-steelman-missouri-senate Sarah Steelman - Missouri Senate - SBA-List November 3, 2018April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ToddAkin JohnBrunner SarahSteelman UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 9–12, 2011 400 ±4.9% 29% 6% 40% 26%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 574 ±4.1% 23% 18% 32% 28%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 24–27, 2012 430 ±4.7% 23% 25% 28% 20%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon July 23–25, 2012 400 ±5.0% 17% 33% 27% 19%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 4–5, 2012 590 ±4.0% 30% 35% 25% 8% Results thumb|Republican primary results by county #E27F7F Akin #FFC8CD 30–40% #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #5fd35f Brunner #aae5aa 30–40% #87de87 40–50% #ff9a50 Steelman #ffcca9 30–40% #ffb580 40–50% #ff9a50 50–60% #ee8e50 60–70% #ae8bb1 Tied #decde6 30–40% Republican primary results Todd Akin Republican Party (United States) 217,404 36.05 John Brunner Republican Party (United States) 180,788 29.98 Sarah Steelman Republican Party (United States) 176,127 29.20 Jerry Beck Republican Party (United States) 9,801 1.62 Hector Maldonado Republican Party (United States) 7,410 1.23 Robert Poole Republican Party (United States) 6,100 1.01 Mark Memoly Republican Party (United States) 3,205 0.53 Mark Lodes Republican Party (United States) 2,285 0.38 603,120 100.00 Libertarian primary Jonathan Dine ran unopposed in the Libertarian primary election. Candidates Jonathan Dine, personal trainer and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010 Results Libertarian primary results Jonathan Dine Libertarian Party (United States) 2,470 100.00 2,470 100.00 General election Candidates Todd Akin (Republican), U.S. representative Jonathan Dine (Libertarian), personal trainer Claire McCaskill (Democratic), incumbent U.S. senator Debates The first debate was held on September 21 in Columbia, Missouri and was sponsored by the Missouri Press Association.Held Kevin Missouri gubernatorial, U.S. Senate debates this Friday in Columbia http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/338753/3/Missouri-gubernatorial-US-Senate-debates-this-Friday https://archive.today/20130127091510/http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/338753/3/Missouri-gubernatorial-US-Senate-debates-this-Friday dead January 27, 2013 Associated Press October 4, 2012 Topics discussed by the three candidates included the Affordable Care Act, the future of the U.S. Postal Service, the rapid rise of college tuition, and Representative Akin's controversial comments on rape.Palosaari Ben The best jabs of the Missouri Senate debate http://www.pitch.com/plog/archives/2012/09/21/the-best-jabs-of-the-missouri-senate-debate Pitch News October 4, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120924234035/http://www.pitch.com/plog/archives/2012/09/21/the-best-jabs-of-the-missouri-senate-debate September 24, 2012 dead mdy-all The second and final debate was held October 18 in St. Louis. It was sponsored by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and hosted by television station KSDK, public radio station KWMU, and the St. Louis Business Journal.Mo. Senate candidates to debate in St. Louis area http://www.kfvs12.com/story/19589657/mo-senate-candidates-to-debate-in-st-louis-area Associated Press October 4, 2012April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes External links Complete video of debate, September 21, 2012 - C-SPAN Complete video of debate, October 18, 2012 - C-SPAN Rape and pregnancy controversy Rape and pregnancy statement controversies in the 2012 United States elections Pregnancy from rape While making remarks on rape and abortion on August 19, 2012, Akin made the claim that female victims of what he described as "legitimate rape" rarely experience pregnancy from rape. In an interview aired on St. Louis television station KTVI-TV, Akin was asked his views on whether women who became pregnant due to rape should have the option of abortion. He replied: Well you know, people always want to try to make that as one of those things, well how do you, how do you slice this particularly tough sort of ethical question. First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let's assume that maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.Jaco Charles The Jaco Report: August 19, 2012 http://fox2now.com/2012/08/19/the-jaco-report-august-19-2012/ Fox News August 19, 2012 20 August 2012 June 6, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170606230441/http://fox2now.com/2012/08/19/the-jaco-report-august-19-2012/ dead The comments from Akin almost immediately led to an uproar, with the term "legitimate rape" being taken to imply belief in a view that some kinds of rape are "legitimate", or, alternatively, that victims who do become pregnant from rape are likely to be lying about their claims. His claims about the likelihood of pregnancy resulting from rape were widely seen as being based on long-discredited pseudoscience, with experts seeing the claims as lacking medical validity. A Canard That Will Not Die: 'Legitimate Rape' Doesn't Cause Pregnancy August 19, 2012 https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/08/a-canard-that-will-not-die-legitimate-rape-doesn't-cause-pregnancy/261303/ The Atlantic August 21, 2012 April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes David A. Graham https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/08/video-of-the-day-forcible-rape-and-paul-ryans-akin-problem/261460/ Video of the Day: 'Forcible Rape' and Paul Ryan's Akin Problem The Atlantic August 22, 2012 August 25, 2012 Health Experts Dismiss Assertions on Rape August 21, 2012 https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/21/us/politics/rape-assertions-are-dismissed-by-health-experts.html The New York Times August 21, 2012 Pam Belluck Akin was not the first to make such claims, but was perhaps one of the most prominent.Kliff Sarah https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/20/rep-todd-akin-is-wrong-about-rape-and-pregnancy-but-hes-not-alone/ Rep. Todd Akin is wrong about rape and pregnancy, but he's not alone The Washington Post August 20, 2012 August 22, 2012 August 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120822020209/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/20/rep-todd-akin-is-wrong-about-rape-and-pregnancy-but-hes-not-alone/ dead While some voices such as Iowa Congressman Steve King supported Akin,https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rep-steve-king-backs-up-todd-akin-weighs-in-on-rape-and-abortion/ Rep. Steve King backs up Todd Akin, weighs in on rape and abortion CBS News August 29, 2012 senior figures in both parties condemned his remarks and called for him to resign.http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/20/leading-social-conservatives-rally-to-akins-defense/ Leading social conservatives rally to Akin's defense CNN August 20, 2012 August 21, 2012 August 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120821023621/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/20/leading-social-conservatives-rally-to-akins-defense/ deadSeung Min Kim https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/08/list-of-senators-calling-on-akin-to-quit-keeps-growing-132703 List of senators calling on Akin to quit keeps growing Politico August 21, 2012 August 22, 2012http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/314452/romney-akins-inexcusable-comment-robert-costa Romney: Akin's Comment 'Inexcusable' Costa Roberthttp://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/20/gop-chair-akin-should-drop-out-skip-convention/ GOP chair: Akin should drop out, skip convention Killough Ashley August 20, 2012 CNN August 21, 2012 August 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120822023641/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/20/gop-chair-akin-should-drop-out-skip-convention/ dead Akin apologized after making the comment, saying he "misspoke", and he stated he planned to remain in the Senate race. This response was itself attacked by many commentators who saw the initial comments as representative of his long-held views, rather than an accidental gaffe. The comment was widely characterized as misogynistic and recklessly inaccurate, with many commentators remarking on the use of the words "legitimate rape".DiSalvo David Republican Senate Nominee Todd Akin: Victims Of "Legitimate Rape" Don't Get Pregnant https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2012/08/19/republican-senate-nominee-todd-akin-victims-of-legitimate-rape-dont-get-pregnant/ Forbes August 20, 2012Abouhalkah Yael T. Todd Akin's rape fantasy http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/todd-akins-rape-fantasy/ Kansas City Star August 20, 2012 https://archive.today/20130901221142/http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/todd-akins-rape-fantasy/ September 1, 2013 dead mdy-allEligon John Senate Candidate Provokes Ire With 'Legitimate Rape' Comment https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/20/us/politics/todd-akin-provokes-ire-with-legitimate-rape-comment.html August 20, 2012 The New York Times August 19, 2012 Related news articles cited a 1996 article in an obstetrics and gynecology journal, which found that 5% of women who were raped became pregnant, which equaled about 32,000 pregnancies each year in the US alone.Melisa M. Holmes Heidi S. Resnick Dean G. Kilpatrick Connie L. Best Rape-related pregnancy: Estimates and descriptive characteristics from a national sample of women American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 8765248 1996 175 2 320–4; discussion 324–5 10.1016/S0002-9378(96)70141-2 Cited in: Blake Aaron Todd Akin, GOP Senate candidate: 'Legitimate rape' rarely causes pregnancy https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/08/19/todd-akin-gop-senate-candidate-legitimate-rape-rarely-causes-pregnancy/ The Washington Post August 20, 2012 A separate 2003 article in the journal Human Nature estimated that rapes are twice as likely to result in pregnancies as consensual sex.10.1007/s12110-003-1014-0 26189986 Are per-incident rape-pregnancy rates higher than per-incident consensual pregnancy rates? 2003 Gottschall Jonathan A. Gottschall Tiffani A. Human Nature 14 1 1–20 20886610 Cited in: Robillard Kevin Doctors: Todd Akin pregnancy claim bogus https://www.politico.com/story/2012/08/docs-akin-pregnancy-claim-bogus-079895 Politico August 20, 2012 August 21, 2012 (See also pregnancy from rape.) The incident was seen as having an impact upon the Republicans' chances of gaining a majority in the U.S. SenateAkin Vows to Stay in Race After "Legitimate Rape" Gaffe, NBC 10 Philadelphia, Scott Ross, August 20, 2012 by making news in the week before the 2012 Republican National Convention and by "shift[ing] the national discussion to divisive social issues that could repel swing voters rather than economic issues that could attract them" to the Republican Party.Akin imbroglio is bad news for Republicans Tom Cohen, CNN updated 3:23 PM EDT, Wed August 22, 2012 Akin, along with other Republican candidates with controversial positions on rape, lost due to backlash from women voters.https://www.politico.com/story/2012/11/abortion-rape-shaped-key-races-083449 Politico Jennifer Haberkorn Abortion, rape controversy shaped key races November 6, 2012 Other controversies On October 20, at a fundraiser, Akin compared McCaskill to a dog. After being criticized, Akin's campaign aide wrote on his official Twitter page that if Claire McCaskill "were a dog, she’d be a ‘Bullshitsu.’" The aide later said that he was joking.https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article310060/Akin-aide-adds-profanity-to-%E2%80%98dog%E2%80%99-characterization-of-McCaskill.html Akin aide adds profanity to 'dog' characterization of McCaskill The Kansas City Star October 22, 2012 November 3, 2018 Kraske, Steve Akin was caught on tape commenting that "Sen. Claire McCaskill goes to Washington, D.C., to ‘fetch' higher taxes and regulations."https://www.politico.com/story/2012/10/akin-likens-mccaskill-to-a-dog-082697?hp=r6 Akin likens McCaskill to a dog POLITICO 2018-06-04 en Fundraising Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand Debt Claire McCaskill (D) $10,250,644 $7,689,961 $3,465,846 $0 Todd Akin (R) $2,229,189 $2,229,754 $531,559 $0 Source: Federal Election Commissionhttp://www.fec.gov/disclosurehs/HSCandDetail.do%7cMcCaskill Campaign Finances November 3, 2018May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes http://www.fec.gov/disclosurehs/HSCandDetail.do%7cAkin Campaign Finances November 3, 2018May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Top contributors Claire McCaskill Contribution Todd Akin Contribution EMILY's List $261,390 Emerson $41,700 Simmons Cooper LLC $83,225 Crawford Group $32,750 Express Scripts $81,358 Edward Jones Investments $23,000 Bryan Cave LLP $79,245 American Pulverizer Co $20,000 Husch Blackwell $70,525 Murray Energy $18,605 Washington University in St. Louis $56,510 Essex Industries $18,000 Hallmark Cards $52,000 General Dynamics $18,000 Boeing $50,500 Washington University in St. Louis $17,000 Crawford Group $47,050 Boeing $15,700 Polsinelli Shughart PC $45,250 Patriot Machine $15,000 Source: OpenSecretshttp://www.opensecrets.org/races/contrib.php?cycle=2012&id=MOS2 Top Contributors 2012 Race: Missouri Senate OpenSecrets Top industries Claire McCaskill Contribution Todd Akin Contribution Lawyers/law firms $1,929,339 Retired $234,936 Retired $626,456 Leadership PACs $126,340 Women's issues $556,681 Health professionals $120,050 Entertainment industry $346,715 Defense contractors $118,900 Financial institutions $344,960 Manufacturing & distributing $95,641 Leadership PACs $335,500 Mining $65,880 Lobbyists $279,883 Automotive $65,790 Real estate $266,844 Republican/Conservative $64,125 Business services $232,175 Electronics manufacturing services $42,350 Health services/HMOs $210,533 Financial institutions $42,250 Source: OpenSecretshttp://www.opensecrets.org/races/indus.php?cycle=2012&id=MOS2 Top Industries 2012 Race: Missouri Senate OpenSecrets Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012 https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139117 The Cook Political Report September 20, 2018 August 29, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180829035855/https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139117 dead Likely D November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball2012 Senate http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2012-senate/ Sabato's Crystal Ball September 20, 2018 Lean D November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report2012 Senate Ratings http://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2012-senate-ratings-november-2-2012 Senate Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report September 20, 2018 Likely D November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics2012 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2012 https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/senate/2012_elections_senate_map.html Real Clear Politics September 20, 2018 Lean D November 5, 2012 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ClaireMcCaskill (D) ToddAkin (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling March 3–6, 2011 612 ±4.0% 45% 44% — 11%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 28 – May 1, 2011 555 ±3.9% 46% 45% — 8%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 9–12, 2011 632 ±3.9% 45% 43% — 12%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports November 9, 2011 500 ±4.5% 47% 45% 5% 3%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 582 ±4.1% 43% 43% — 14%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports March 14–15, 2012 500 ±4.5% 43% 50% 4% 4%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports April 17, 2012 500 ±4.5% 43% 48% 2% 7%Public Policy Polling May 24–27, 2012 602 ±4.0% 44% 45% — 11%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 7, 2012 500 ±4.5% 42% 50% 2% 7%Mason-Dixon July 23–25, 2012 625 ±4.0% 44% 49% — 7%Rasmussen Reports July 30, 2012 500 ±4.5% 44% 47% 4% 5%Chilenski Strategies/Missouri ScoutChilenski Strategies/Missouri Scout August 8, 2012 663 ±3.8% 47% 48% — 6%Survey USASurvey USA August 9–12, 2012 585 ±4.1% 40% 51% 4% 5%August 19, 2012 - Akin makes "legitimate rape" comments on KTVIPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 20, 2012 500 ±4.4% 43% 44% — 13%Rasmussen Reports August 22, 2012 500 ±4.5% 48% 38% 9% 5%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon August 22–23, 2012 625 ±4.0% 50% 41% — 9%Wenzel StrategiesWenzel Strategies August 27–28, 2012 829 ±3.3% 42% 45% — 13%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 28–29, 2012 621 ±3.9% 45% 44% — 11%Rasmussen Reports September 11, 2012 500 ±4.5% 49% 43% 4% 4%Wenzel StrategiesWenzel Strategies September 10–11, 2012 850 ±3.3% 43% 48% — 10%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing September 15–16, 2012 1,959 ±2.3% 42% 44% — 16%We Ask AmericaWe Ask America September 25–27, 2012 1,145 ±2.9% 46% 45% — 9%Kiley & CompanyKiley & Company September 30, 2012 600 ±3.5% 50% 41% 2% 7%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 1–3, 2012 700 ±3.7% 46% 40% 9% 5%Rasmussen Reports October 3, 2012 500 ±4.5% 51% 45% 1% 3%Wenzel StrategiesWenzel Strategies October 12–13, 2012 1,000 ±3.7% 45% 49% — 7%Rasmussen Reports October 19, 2012 500 ±4.5% 51% 43% 3% 3%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 19–21, 2012 582 ±4.1% 46% 40% 6% 8%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon October 23–25, 2012 625 ±4% 45% 43% — 8%WeAskAmericaWeAskAmerica October 30, 2012 1,217 ±2.9% 49% 45% 6% —SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 28 – November 3, 2012 589 ±4.1% 51% 36% 8% 5%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 2–3, 2012 835 ±3.4% 48% 44% 6% 2% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Republican primary Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ToddAkin JohnBrunner BlaineLuetkemeyer EdMartin SarahSteelman Other/UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 28 – May 1, 2011 400 ±4.9% 23% 4% 18% 6% 27% 23% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ToddAkin JohnBrunner EdMartin SarahSteelman Other/UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 28 – May 1, 2011 400 ±4.9% 29% 6% 9% 28% 28% General election Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ClaireMcCaskill (D) JohnBrunner (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 28 – May 1, 2011 555 ±3.9% 47% 41% — 12%Public Policy Polling September 9–12, 2011 632 ±3.9% 46% 37% — 17%Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 582 ±4.1% 43% 43% – 14%Rasmussen Reports March 14–15, 2012 500 ±4.5% 42% 49% 4% 6%Rasmussen Reports April 17, 2012 500 ±4.5% 45% 45% 3% 7%Public Policy Polling May 24–27, 2012 602 ±4.0% 46% 44% — 11%Rasmussen Reports June 7, 2012 500 ±4.5% 41% 51% 2% 6%Mason-Dixon July 23–25, 2012 625 ±4.0% 41% 52% — 7%Rasmussen Reports July 30, 2012 500 ±4.5% 43% 49% 5% 3% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ClaireMcCaskill (D) PeterKinder (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 29 – December 1, 2010 515 ±4.3% 44% 46% — 10% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ClaireMcCaskill (D) BlaineLuetkemeyer (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 28 – May 1, 2011 555 ±3.9% 45% 42% — 13% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ClaireMcCaskill (D) EdMartin (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling March 3–6, 2011 612 ±4.0% 46% 40% — 14%Public Policy Polling April 28 – May 1, 2011 555 ±3.9% 46% 39% — 15% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ClaireMcCaskill (D) TomSchweich (R) Other UndecidedRasmussen Reports March 14–15, 2012 500 ±4.5% 43% 47% 4% 6% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ClaireMcCaskill (D) SarahSteelman (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 29 – December 1, 2010 515 ±4.3% 45% 44% — 12%Public Policy Polling March 3–6, 2011 612 ±4.0% 45% 42% — 14%Public Policy Polling April 28 – May 1, 2011 555 ±3.9% 45% 42% — 14%Public Policy Polling September 9–12, 2011 632 ±3.9% 43% 42% — 16%Rasmussen Reports November 9, 2011 500 ±4.5% 45% 47% 3% 4%Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 582 ±4.1% 43% 44% – 13%Rasmussen Reports March 14–15, 2012 500 ±4.5% 41% 51% 4% 4%Rasmussen Reports April 17, 2012 500 ±4.5% 42% 49% 2% 6%Public Policy Polling May 24–27, 2012 602 ±4.0% 44% 44% — 12%Rasmussen Reports June 7, 2012 500 ±4.5% 39% 51% 3% 7%Mason-Dixon July 23–25, 2012 625 ±4.0% 41% 49% — 10%Rasmussen Reports July 30, 2012 500 ±4.5% 43% 49% 4% 4% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ClaireMcCaskill (D) JimTalent (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 29 – December 1, 2010 515 ±4.3% 45% 47% — 8% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ClaireMcCaskill (D) AnnWagner (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling March 3–6, 2011 612 ±4.0% 45% 36% — 19% Results Even though the last poll before the election showed Akin only losing by four percentage points, McCaskill defeated him handily, by a 15.7% margin of victory and a vote margin of 427,966. Both McCaskill and incumbent governor Jay Nixon, running at the same time, were able to get a large number of votes from rural parts of the state, something President Barack Obama was not able to do. McCaskill and Nixon were declared the winners of their respective races even before results from the known big Democratic strongholds of St. Louis and Kansas City came in. Akin conceded defeat to McCaskill at 10:38 P.M. Central Time. United States Senate election in Missouri, 2012 State of Missouri - State of Missouri - General Election, November 06, 2012 https://enrarchives.sos.mo.gov/enrnet/default.aspx?eid=750002497 January 1, 2018 Time featured the race in an article on the Senate. The article mentioned that McCaskill had been fading in pre-election polls, and that she was considered the most vulnerable/endangered Democratic incumbent in 2012. However, Akin's controversial comments helped McCaskill rise in the polls and propelled her to a victory in the election. The Senate – Much Fury, Little Change 18 Time November 19, 2012Hughes Siobhan Claire McCaskill Defeats Todd Akin to Win Missouri Senate Seat https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/11/06/mccaskill-defeats-akin-to-win-missouri-senate-seat/ Wall Street Journal November 6, 2012Eligon John Turnaround in Missouri as Incumbent Keeps Seat https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/07/us/politics/turnaround-in-missouri-as-incumbent-keeps-seat.html The New York Times November 7, 2012 In August 2015, McCaskill penned a Politico article in which she stated that in 2012, she had "successfully manipulated the Republican primary so that in the general election [she] would face the candidate [she] was most likely to beat."McCaskill Claire How I Helped Todd Akin Win — So I Could Beat Him Later https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/08/todd-akin-missouri-claire-mccaskill-2012-121262/ Politico August 11, 2015 August 1, 2018 Democratic Party (United States) Claire McCaskill (incumbent) 1,494,125 54.81% +5.36% Republican Party (United States) Todd Akin 1,066,159 39.11% -8.20% Libertarian Party (United States) Jonathan Dine 165,468 6.07% +3.83% 41 0.01% +0.01% 2,725,793 100.00% N/A Democratic Party (United States) Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Andrew (largest city: Savannah) Audrain (largest city: Mexico) Worth (largest city: Grant City) Chariton (largest city: Salisbury) Livingston (largest city: Chillicothe) Bates (largest city: Butler) Gentry (largest city: Albany) Nodaway (largest city: Maryville) Lafayette (largest city: Odessa) Pettis (largest city: Sedalia) Sullivan (largest city: Milan) Clark (largest city: Kahoka) Cass (largest city: Harrisonville) Daviess (largest city: Gallatin) Knox (largest city: Edina) Lewis (largest city: Canton) Grundy (largest city: Trenton) Johnson (largest city: Warrensburg) Howard (largest city: Fayette) Schuyler (largest city: Lancaster) Scotland (largest city: Memphis) Dunklin (largest city: Kennett) Madison (largest city: Fredericktown) Pulaski (largest city: Fort Leonard Wood) Greene (largest city: Springfield) Franklin (largest city: Washington) Wayne (largest city: Piedmont) Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Oregon (largest city: Thayer) By congressional district McCaskill won six of eight congressional districts, four of which were won by Republicans, including Akin's own district.https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=491714 Our Campaigns District McCaskill Akin Representative1st86.93%13.22%Lacy Clay2nd51.97%42.77%Todd Akin (112th Congress)Ann Wagner (113th Congress)3rd47.02%46.49%Russ Carnahan (112th Congress)Blaine Luetkemeyer (113th Congress)4th48.65%43.28%Vicky Hartzler5th66.48%27.61%Emanuel Cleaver6th50.72%41.98%Sam Graves7th41.77%51.1%Billy Long8th46.3%47.76%Jo Ann Emerson See also 2012 United States Senate elections 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri 2012 United States presidential election in Missouri 2012 Missouri gubernatorial election 2012 Missouri lieutenant gubernatorial election 2012 Missouri Attorney General election 2012 Missouri State Treasurer election 2012 Missouri Secretary of State election References External links Elections from the Missouri Secretary of State Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation Candidate issue positions at On the Issues United States Senate elections in Missouri, 2012 at Ballotpedia Official campaign websites Todd Akin for U.S. Senate Claire McCaskill for U.S. Senate Jonathan Dine for U.S. Senate United States Senate Missouri 2012