Former House Speaker and presidential candidate Newt Gingrich plans to be in Missouri next week to do some fundraising for embattled Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin.
Gingrich told the
St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he wanted to “tell the people of Missouri” that they have the right to stand by the candidate they chose despite calls from party leaders for Akin to drop out of the race.
“The people of Missouri picked him to be their nominee in a fair fight,” he told the paper.
Akin seemed well on his way to victory over the unpopular McCaskill until he made comments a month ago about "legitimate rape" and pregnancy.
Many in the GOP, including presidential candidate Mitt Romney, have called on him to withdraw from the race. Recent polling has shown McCaskill now leading.
Gingrich, in his interview with the Post-Dispatch, warned against giving up on Missouri, saying, “I don't see how the Republicans are going to win the Senate if they throw away a seat like Missouri.”
Gingrich’s appearance at the fundraiser will occur one day before the Sept. 25 deadline for Akin to drop out and still allow the GOP to name a replacement. Akin spokesman Ryan Hite told the Post-Dispatch that Akin has no plans to quit.
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