Akin: We'll be here through November, and we're here to win

ST. LOUIS - Todd Akin held a news conference in St. Louis on Friday afternoon, during which he reaffirmed that he is staying in the Missouri Senate race.

"We're going to be here through the November election, and we're going to be here to win," the besieged candidate told reporters.

CNN is reporting Akin has raised more than $200,000 since he made controversial comments about rape and pregnancy that aired on KTVI in St. Louis on Sunday morning.

"First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare," Akin said of rape-induced pregnancy in an interview with KTVI . A clip of the interview was posted online by the liberal super PAC American Bridge.

"If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down," Akin continued. Akin did not provide an explanation for what constituted "legitimate rape."

Akin apologized on Monday for the remarks and vowed to stay in the race against Sen. Claire McCaskill. Akin spent the day appearing on national political talk shows announcing his intention to continue his run for the seat.

 Early Monday afternoon, however, news of an impending dropout first appeared on political website Talking Points Memo . The TPM reports alluded to both national and state GOP organizations abandoning Akin’s campaign. Both organizations were reportedly vetting three possible replacements for Akin – Jim Talent, who lost a re-election bid to McCaskill in 2006; John Brunner, a runner-up to Akin in the primary election; and Tom Schweich, current Missouri state auditor.

Akin first came under fire on Aug. 16 after news outlets reported the candidate did not support the federal school lunch program. He clarified with a statement that he supported the program, but noted he would never close the door on ways to reform government.

Stay tuned to 41 Action News and KSHB.com for updates on this story as they become available.