Roy Blunt Supports Todd Akin, States He ‘Very Well May Win’ Senate Race

Missouri Senator Roy Blunt showed his support for Todd Akin on Sunday, seeking to portray the Missouri Senate race as a key part of the battle for the Republican Senate majority.

Blunt also stated that Akin has the potential to defeat Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill in November, reports The Washington Post. Blunt stated:

“I think anybody else would have been a candidate that clearly would have won, and Todd very well may win.”

Akin became infamous last month when an interview aired showing the Senate-hopeful talking about his views on abortion. During the interview, Akin stated that “legitimate rape” rarely ends in pregnancy, because he believed a woman has the ability to get rid of a pregnancy she doesn’t want naturally.

After the controversy began, Roy Blunt called for Akin to remove his name from the ballot, but after the deadline passed on Tuesday, the Missouri Senator announced his support for the congressman’s campaign. He added that the Senate contest is more about gaining the majority than it is about electing Akin specifically.

CNN notes that Roy Blunt also stated:

“He is on a ticket at a time when people are looking at a Senate that’s not doing its work, and the only way to change the Senate is to change the majority.”

Democrats are currently in control of the Senate 53-47, but they are defending 23 of the 33 seats up in the November election. Blunt also released a statement on Tuesday to support Todd Akin, saying:

“Congressman Akin and I don’t agree on everything, but he and I agree the Senate majority must change. From Governor Romney to the county courthouse, I’ll be working for the Republican ticket in Missouri, and that includes Todd Akin.”

Roy Blunt stated on Sunday that, with Todd Akin’s help, the Senate has a 50-50 chance for a Republican takeover.