Congressman Todd Akin celebrated victory Tuesday in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. He'll face U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) in November after defeating former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and businessman John Brunner.
"Now tonight the primary is over and tomorrow the general election starts," he said. "Let me tell you exactly what this race is about: This campaign is about reclaiming our godly values, rebuilding the American dream and restoring the America we love."
Akin jumped into campaigning for November in his speech to supporters in St. Charles, drawing distinctions between himself and McCaskill. Akin promised to be the deciding vote to getting rid of Obamacare, and to protect and strengthen Medicare.
"The choice is clear, the time has come now to reclaim our values, to reclaim the American dream," he said.
Akin waited to speak to the crowd until after businessman John Brunner conceded the race. Akin took 36 percent of the vote to Brunner's 30 percent and Sarah Steelman's 29 percent.
Steelman was first to concede around 10 p.m.
Brunner's campaign manager Jon Seaton said the campaign wishes Akin well, but it's "too early to say" if Brunner will work on Akin's behalf. Brunner spent $7.5 million of his own money in the race.
"Voters did really like what they heard from John," Seaton said, adding that while it was too early to know the reason behind the result, there was a belief that "outside factors" might have taken a toll. Akin was buoyed by an endorsement by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee which likely helped in Southwest Missouri, while McCaskill and other Democratic Party sources poured ad money into the race that many believe helped boost Akin's chances.
McCaskill sent out a fundraising email to supporters by 10:49 p.m. saying Akin is "out of touch with working-class Missouri families," and asking people to help them raise $75,000 in the next week.
Akin supporters gathered at in St. Charles Tuesday night to await the results, clustered in groups. Some watched the Olympics on the big screen before the campaign turned to election results around 9 p.m.
Perry Akin, Todd Akin's son, said earlier in the evening he would be surprised if Akin didn't come out ahead in the St. Louis region.
Todd Akin ended up taking 45.65 percent of the vote in St. Louis County and 49.13 percent of the vote in St. Charles County.
"We're at the 50-yard line," he said.
here is my personal note on claire mckaskill...when she was the state auditor....I was working nursing homes in missouri as an outside vendor....the majority of them were like the zoo.....terrible terrible places to house the elderly.....but she mounted a campaign to clean up the homes....I thought how wonderful is that...because those poor people deserve better treatment....but...she got married to a millionaire nursing home owner..supposedly owned about half of the homes in missouri.....and guess what.....she called off the dogs......and her initiative just dissolved into thin air......
And while we are at it - while he was voting unethically in T&C for those ten (10) elections - where was his wife voting? He's never answered that question... As far as Akin having the highest name reconition, it's always been my impression that Ms. Steelman had the highest, due to her tenure in the state Treasurer's office. Perhaps Akin was better liked and favored by God? At least that's what he referred to in his victory speech. Bwa-Ha-Ha!
I didn't vote for Mr. Akin yesterday, but pledged after my experience above that I would work my butt off for anyone running against Senator McCaskill in 2012...and I plan on doing just that--so I've got Akin's back come November.
A Senator is supposed to Represent their State. McCaskill totally ignores this state's people wishes and has constantly questioned the voters intelligence on How much medical care insurance we want. Her votes were straight "National Party" line votes. That is not a Missouri Senator. Peter