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'''William Todd Akin''' (born July 5, 1947) is the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[House of Representatives|Representative]] for [[Missouri]]'s second congressional district and is the Republican  nominee for one of the most-watched races for the [[U.S. Senate]] in 2012. Akin was first elected to Congress in 2000. Prior to that he served 12 years in the Missouri General Assembly.  

'''William Todd Akin''' (born July 5, 1947) is the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[House of Representatives|Representative]] for [[Missouri]]'s second congressional district and was the Republican  nominee for one of the most-watched races for the [[U.S. Senate]] in 2012, which he lost against the incumbent [[Democratic]] [[senator]] [[Claire McCaskill]] in November 2012. Akin was first elected to Congress in 2000. Prior to that he served 12 years in the Missouri General Assembly.  

Akin has taken a strong position on the role of [[faith]] in politics. In late July 2011 he said, "... at the heart of [[liberalism]] really is a hatred for God and a belief that government should replace [[God]]." [http://www.theblaze.com/stories/rep-todd-akin-refuses-to-apologize-for-saying-at-the-heart-of-liberalism-is-a-hatred-for-god/] [http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/06/28/congressmans-claim-liberals-hate-god/]   

Akin has taken a strong position on the role of [[faith]] in politics. In late July 2011 he said, "... at the heart of [[liberalism]] really is a hatred for God and a belief that government should replace [[God]]." [http://www.theblaze.com/stories/rep-todd-akin-refuses-to-apologize-for-saying-at-the-heart-of-liberalism-is-a-hatred-for-god/] [http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/06/28/congressmans-claim-liberals-hate-god/]   

In 1984, Akin earned a divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, but entered politics rather than the ministry.<ref name=legacy>{{cite news|title=Small legacy, loyal allies|author=Stephanie McCrummen and David A Fahrenthold|work=Washington Post|date=August 23, 2012|page=A1}}</ref>  He was elected to the Missouri legislature in 1988.<ref name=legacy/>

In 1984, Akin earned a divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, but entered politics rather than the ministry.<ref name=legacy>{{cite news|title=Small legacy, loyal allies|author=Stephanie McCrummen and David A Fahrenthold|work=Washington Post|date=August 23, 2012|page=A1}}</ref>  He was elected to the Missouri legislature in 1988.<ref name=legacy/>

Todd Akin has never lost an election, and has repeatedly won upset victories against more [[liberal]] opponents who have spent far more money than he has.

Todd Akin has lost one election, and has repeatedly won upset victories against more [[liberal]] opponents who have spent far more money than he has.

A [[veteran]], Congressman Akin has been a leader on military issues in the [[Republican Party]] in [[Congress]].  He is also a minister who has championed the greater use of [[prayer]] and [[charity]].  His family has [[homeschooled]] their children.

A [[veteran]], Congressman Akin has been a leader on military issues in the [[Republican Party]] in [[Congress]].  He is also a minister who has championed the greater use of [[prayer]] and [[charity]].  His family has [[homeschooled]] their children.