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KBIA's coverage of all the elections going on in mid-Missouri and the nation for 2012.

U.S. Capitol Police investigating reported threat on Akin, Huckabee pledges support

U.S. Capitol Police are investigating a reported threat against U.S. Representative Todd Akin, the U.S. Representative from Missouri who has been criticized for comments he made recently about rape.

A police spokesperson says there is "an active, open investigation" into a reported threat against the Republican lawmaker. She added that she could not discuss details regarding security of members of Congress.

Akin, who is running for the U.S. Senate, caused a stir when he said in a television interview last Sunday that women's bodies have ways of preventing pregnancies in cases of what he called  "legitimate rape." He has apologized repeatedly and has said he misspoke, and has refused demands by top Republicans that he withdraw from the Senate race.

Meanwhile, former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is standing by embattled Missouri Congressman Todd Akin and soliciting donations for his Senate campaign.

Huckabee distributed a fundraising email Thursday for Akin in which he accuses what he calls the "Republican establishment" of a "carefully orchestrated and systematic attack" on the suburban St. Louis congressmember.

Huckabee is Akin's most prominent defender so far, following a week in which the chairman of the Republican National Committee, presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney and other top Republicans have called on Akin to quit.

Akin continues to say he’ll forge ahead with his challenge to Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill.

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