Claire McCaskill beats out GOP Todd Akin: Focus on women, economy key

In a fight to the finish, Senator Claire McCaskill (Democrat), beat Senator Todd Akin (Republican) for a seat in the Missouri Senate on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

While some cite Akin’s controversial ‘legitimate rape’ comments as McCaskill’s angle in defending her senate seat, others cite her record in areas such as improving the economy and focusing on women’s issues as key components in her victory on Election Day 2012.

In a complementary speech, a speaker from EMILY’s List, a women’s group, spoke:

“Tonight, voters in Missouri reelected a true champion for women and families,” said Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List. “This election provided a clear choice between leaders like Claire McCaskill, who want to move forward by expanding women’s healthcare access and economic opportunity, and candidates like Todd ‘Legitimate Rape’ Akin, who was committed to redefining rape, and denying women access to reproductive healthcare and equal pay.

The EMILY’s List community – now more than two million members strong – fought hard to turn out an impressive number of women voters and leaders like Claire McCaskill. Leaders like Claire will end the Republican Party’s anti-middle class agenda by supporting policies that benefit women and families.”

What did Todd Akin have to say about his loss? He shared in his concession speech:

“Things don’t always turn out the way you think they’re going to,”

“But I also think that in the circumstances we’ve all been through, that it’s particularly appropriate to thank God, who makes no mistakes and who is much wiser than we are.”

Senator Claire McCaskill reflects on what others told her during the race: