Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin during his August campaign stop in Kirksville
JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (AP) -- Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin has won two high-profile Republican endorsements a day after guaranteeing his candidacy would continue.
On Wednesday, former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum and Sen. Jim DeMint, a tea party star, announced support for Akin. They called Akin a "principled conservative" who is committed to fighting for freedom. Santorum easily won Missouri's nonbinding Republican presidential primary in February.
Akin had faced pressure to quit the campaign against Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill after his televised comments that women's bodies have a natural defense against pregnancy in cases of what he called "legitimate rape."
Tuesday was the final deadline to withdraw.
Akin repeatedly has apologized for the comment, but he lost financial support from top national Republicans, including presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
Previous stories...
Pressure mounts for Rep. Akin to drop out of Senate race - Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Deadline adds pressure on Missouri congressman to abandon Senate race after rape comment furor
Rep. Todd Akin says pregnancy from rape is 'really rare' - Sunday, August 19, 2012
Rep. Todd Akin discusses his beliefs on rape and abortion
Todd Akin stops in Kirksville before primary elections - Thursday, August 02, 2012
Republican Senate Candidate Todd Akin held a meet and greet at Rosie's Northtown Café in Kirksville before Tuesday's primary elections.
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