Friday, August 24, 2012

Republican Congressman Todd Akin is holding his first Missouri press conference since his U.S. Senate campaign was shaken by his remarks about rape and pregnancy. Campaign spokesman Ryan Hite says Akin is reaffirming that he will remain in the race.

He plans to talk to media at 4:15 p.m. Friday in the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield.

It will be his first public appearance in Missouri since a TV interview aired Sunday in which Akin said women's bodies can avoid pregnancy in cases of what he termed "legitimate rape."

Akin has apologized and said he misspoke. He has rejected calls by top Republicans to drop his challenge of Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill.

During recent days, Akin has been meeting with fellow conservatives and mounting an aggressive online fundraising drive.