Todd Akin
| W. Todd Akin | ||
 | ||
| U.S. House, Missouri, District 2 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| January 3, 2001-January 3, 2013 | ||
| Party | Republican | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 2, 2010 | |
| First elected | November 7, 2000 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Prior offices | ||
| Missouri House of Representatives from the 86th district | ||
| 1993–2001 | ||
| Missouri House of Representatives from the 85th district | ||
| 1989–1993 | ||
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | |
| Master's | Covenant Theological Seminary | |
| Military service | ||
| Service/branch | United States Army | |
| Years of service | 1972-1980 | |
| Personal | ||
| Birthday | July 5, 1947 | |
| Place of birth | New York City, New York | |
| Profession | Engineer, plant manager | |
| Religion | Presbyterian | |
| Websites | ||
| Campaign website | ||
 | ||
Contents |
In 2012, Akin ran for U.S. Senate. He won the Republican nomination in the primary,[1] but lost in the general election.[2]
Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Akin was a "far-right Republican".[3]
Biography
Akin was born in New York City. He attended the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts where he earned a degree in management engineering. In 1984 he earned a Master of Divinity degree at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis.[4]
Career
From 1972 to 1980, Akin served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir in Alexandria, Virginia. After his military career, he took up work at IBM as an engineer and later became a manager at Laclede Steel Company.[5]
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2011-2012
Akin served on the following committees:[6]
- Armed Services Committee
- Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces (Chairman)
- House Budget Committee
- House Science Committee
Issues
Earmarks
A Washington Post investigation in February 2012 revealed that 33 members of Congress helped direct more than $300 million in earmarks to public projects in close proximity to commercial and residential real estate owned by the lawmakers or their family members.[7] According to the report, Tierney has helped direct about $3.5 million toward a 950-space parking garage and commuter rail station in Salem, Mass. The facility will be located roughly 1/4 mile from a commercial building Tierney co-owns.[8]
Specific votes
Fiscal Cliff
Akin voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257/167 vote on January 1, 2013.[9]
Elections
2012
Akin sought election to the U.S. Senate.[10] He defeated John Brunner, Sarah Steelman, Mark Lodes, Jerry Beck, Mark Memoly, Robert Poole, and Hector Maldonado in the August 7, 2012 Republican primary.[11] In the November 6, 2012, general election, he faced incumbent Claire McCaskill and Libertarian Party candidate Jonathan Dine. McCaskill won.[2]
An October 2012 article in The Daily named Akin one of the 20 worst candidates in 2012.[12]
The University of Virginia's Center for Politics published an article called Sabato's Crystal Ball on March 22, 2012 detailing the 8 races in the Senate in 2012 that will decide the political fate of which party will end up with control in 2013.[13] The seat, rated a toss-up, was one that the Sabato's Crystal Ball believed was 3rd most likely to end up Republican. The article notes incumbent freshman senator Claire McCaskill (D) is vulnerable in the Republican leaning state.[13]
| U.S. Senate, Missouri, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Claire McCaskill Incumbent |
54.8% | 1,494,125 | |
| Republican | Todd Akin | 39.1% | 1,066,159 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 6.1% | 165,468 | |
| Write-in | Ted Kimzey | 0% | 15 | |
| Write-in | Bernard J. "Spark" Duraski, Jr. | 0% | 9 | |
| Write-in | William Dean | 0% | 6 | |
| Write-in | Bernie Mowinksi | 0% | 5 | |
| Write-in | Charlie L. Bailey | 0% | 4 | |
| Write-in | Arnie C. "AC" Dienoff | 0% | 2 | |
| Total Votes | 2,725,793 | |||
| Source: Missouri Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
Primary results
The primary took place on August 7, 2012.[14]
| US Senate - Missouri Republican Primary, 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|
Todd Akin |
36% | 217,468 |
| John G. Brunner | 30% | 180,821 |
| Sarah Steelman | 29.2% | 176,189 |
| Jerry Beck | 1.6% | 9,791 |
| Hector Maldonado | 1.2% | 7,412 |
| Robert (Bob) Poole | 1% | 6,097 |
| Mark Memoly | 0.5% | 3,200 |
| Mark Patrick Lodes | 0.4% | 2,282 |
| Total Votes | 603,260 | |
2010
On November 2, 2010, Akin was re-elected to the United States House for a sixth term. He defeated Arthur Lieber (D), Steve Mosbacher (Libertarian), and Patrick M. Cannon (Write-in).[15]
| United States House, Missouri General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Todd Akin Incumbent |
67.9% | 180,481 | |
| Democratic | Arthur Lieber | 29.2% | 77,467 | |
| Libertarian | Steve Mosbacher | 2.9% | 7,677 | |
| Write-in | Patrick M. Cannon | 0% | 7 | |
| Total Votes | 265,632 | |||
Issues
Campaign themes
2012
On his campaign website, Akin lists seven issues. They are:[16]
- Public Healthcare
- Akin says, "The American public has said loud and clear that they do not want a government takeover of health care. Let's repeal the current law and replace it with meaningful reforms that drive coverage costs down, keep decisions with patients and expand access to health insurance."
- Education
- Akin states, "We need to return local control to our schools. In 2001, I opposed my own party when I stood in opposition to President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act. [...] It is time to end Washington’s trend as “Federal Superintendent of Education” and give control and funding back to the States and local school boards. In short, reducing excessive federal regulations will make more dollars available our local schools, and allow those who actually interact with students to focus spending where it is most needed."
- Energy
- Akin says, "The regulations imposed on the energy industry has stifled investment and stalled our ability to keep up with the needs of our nation. As a result, we continue a growing dependence of foreign energy sources."
- Jobs
- Akin says, "We must also overhaul our system of taxation. I have long been a supporter of the Fair Tax. The Fair Tax expands the tax base and flattens the tax burden. The Fair Tax allows taxpayers to keep more of what they make and empowers the taxpayer to take a greater role in managing their tax burden."
- Values
- Akin discusses two issues on his campaign page.
- Abortion: "One of the beliefs on which I will never waiver is that life begins at conception. During my time in public office, I have remained steadfast in this belief. I have been a vocal supporter and sponsor of numerous pro-life legislative initiatives at both the state and federal level that protect the rights of the unborn."
- Gun Rights: "During my time in Congress, I have supported a number of measures that seek to protect an individual’s constitutional right to bear arms, and to rein in heavy handed attempts by our government to infringe upon that right."
- Spending
- Akin says, "If government spending was truly the answer to our problems, we should now have a booming economy. Despite the Obama spending spree, reported unemployment lingers around 9%, and real unemployment hangs closer to 20%. Spending only makes our economic woes worse. The only way to get out of a hole is to stop digging. We owe our children and grandchildren better than to burden them with debt tomorrow for our “wants” today. It’s well past time to cut the federal credit card."
- Veterans and Defense
- Akin says, "I believe that providing for the national defense is a charge given to Congress explicitly in the United States Constitution and I will continue to be a strong advocate for the men and women in uniform that pledge all in defending our freedom." [16]
Polls
2012
| Todd Akin vs. Claire McCaskill | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response | Rasmussen Reports (August 23, 2012) | Survey USA (August 9-August 12, 2012) | Rasmussen Reports (July 30, 2012) | Post-Dispatch/Mason-Dixon (July 23-July 25, 2012) | Public Policy Polling (May 24-May 27, 2012) | Average | ||||||||
| Todd Akin | 38% | 51% | 47% | 49% | 45% | 46% | ||||||||
| Claire McCaskill | 48% | 40% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 44% | ||||||||
| Number polled | 500 | 585 | 500 | 625 | 602 | 562.4 | ||||||||
| Margin of error | +/-4.5 | +/-4.1% | +/-4.5% | +/-5% | +/-4% | 4.42% | ||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | ||||||||||||||
Campaign donors
2012
Akin lost the U.S. Senate election in 2012. During that election cycle, Akin's campaign committee raised a total of $5,676,248 and spent $6,165,888.[17]
| United States Senate, 2012 - Todd Akin Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Total Raised | $5,676,248 |
| Total Spent | $6,165,888 |
| Total Raised by Election Winner | $21,131,809 |
| Total Spent by Election Winner | $21,262,016 |
| Top contributors to Todd Akin's campaign committee | |
| Senate Conservatives Fund | $138,187 |
| Emerson | $41,950 |
| Crawford Group | $33,250 |
| Jones Financial Companies | $30,000 |
| Washington University In St Louis | $23,200 |
| Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee | |
| Retired | $515,622 |
| Leadership PACs | $259,035 |
| Health Professionals | $213,240 |
| Republican/Conservative | $166,676 |
| Misc Manufacturing & Distributing | $140,249 |
2010
| U.S. House, Missouri, 2010 - Todd Akin Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Total Raised | $767,798 |
| Total Spent | $825,668 |
| Total Raised by General Election Opponent | $50,504 |
| Total Spent by General Election Opponent | $49,234 |
| Top contributors to Todd Akin's campaign committee | |
| Washington University In St Louis | $17,500 |
| Crawford Group | $14,200 |
| Hunter Engineering | $10,600 |
| American Crystal Sugar | $10,000 |
| Anheuser-Busch InBev | $10,000 |
| Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee | |
| Retired | $80,050 |
| Health Professionals | $43,300 |
| Automotive | $42,800 |
| Misc Defense | $38,200 |
| Misc Manufacturing & Distributing | $38,200 |
Analysis
Congressional staff salaries
The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Akin paid his congressional staff a total of $927,567 in 2011. Overall, Missouri ranked 21st in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[19]
Staff bonuses
According to an analysis by CNN, Akin is one of nearly 25% of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. Akin's staff was given an apparent $3,406.85 in bonus money.[20]
Net worth
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Akin's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $31,017 to $290,000. This averages out to a net worth of $160,508.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Republicans in 2010 of $7,561,133.[21]
Political Analysis
National Journal vote ratings
Each year, National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted, as compared to other members, in the previous year. More information about the analysis process can be found on the vote ratings page.
2012
According to the data released in 2013, Akin was ranked the most conservative representative during 2012. [22]
2011
According to the data released in 2012, Todd Akin was ranked the 116th most conservative representative during 2011.[23]
Percentage voting with party
November 2011
The website Open Congress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, Todd Akin voted with the Republican Party 95.4% of the time, which ranked 18th among the 242 House Republican members in November 2011.[24]
Personal
External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Political profiles:
- Financial:
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Voting record:
- Media appearances:
- Media coverage:
References
- ↑ AP Results "Missouri U.S. Senate Results" Accessed August 7, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 CNN "Missouri Senate Race - 2012 Election Center"
- ↑ Gov Track "Akin" Accessed May 25, 2012
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress "AKIN, W. Todd, (1947 - )"
- ↑ Congressman Todd Akin, Missouri's 2nd District, Timeless Principle's For Today's Challenges "Biography"
- ↑ Congressman Todd Akin, Missouri's 2nd District, Timeless Principle's For Today's Challenges "Committees"
- ↑ Washington Post "Congressional earmarks sometimes used to fund projects near lawmakers' properties," February 6, 2012
- ↑ Washington Post "Mapping the earmarks," February 6, 2012
- ↑ U.S. House "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff" Accessed January 4, 2013.
- ↑ The Hill "Rep. Akin sets up a Republican primary fight in Missouri's Senate race" Accessed January 13, 2012
- ↑ AP Results "Missouri U.S. Senate Results" Accessed August 7, 2012
- ↑ The Daily, "The worst candidates of 2012," October 29, 2012
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Center for Politics "Tilting the Toss Ups – the Eight Races That Will Decide the Senate" Accessed April 9, 2012
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State "Election Night Reporting" Accessed October 11, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010"
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Todd Akin for U.S. Senate "Akin on the Issues" April 21, 2012
- ↑ Open Secrets " 2012 Election Cycle," Accessed March 2013
- ↑ Open Secrets "Todd Akin 2010 Election Data," Accessed November 6, 2011
- ↑ LegiStorm, "Todd Akin," Accessed October 8, 2012
- ↑ CNN Politics, "Congressional bonuses in a time of cuts," March 8, 2013
- ↑ [hhttp://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00009677&year=2010 OpenSecrets.org, "Todd Akin (R-MO), 2010," Accessed October 8, 2012]
- ↑ National Journal, "TABLE: House Liberal Scores by Issue Area," February 26, 2013
- ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," February 23, 2012
- ↑ Open Congress "Voting With Party"
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jim Talent |
U.S. House of Representatives - Missouri District 2 2001-2013 |
Succeeded by Ann Wagner |
| Preceded by John Hancock |
Missouri House of Representatives - District 86 1993–2001 |
Succeeded by Jane Cunningham |
| Preceded by Franc Flotron |
Missouri House of Representatives - District 85 1989–1993 |
Succeeded by Chris Liese |
| |||||||||||||
