Tagged: claire mccaskill

Hi all,

KBIA’s Kristofor Husted interviews Sen. Claire McCaskill, who is challenging Rep. Todd Akin to keep her seat in the U.S. Senate in the November 6 election.

In the interview (which took place before McCaskill’s mother died), the senator talks about the difference between her and Akin when it comes to women’s issues including equal pay for women and access to emergency contraception. She talks about what she would say to women who have backed Akin after his controversial comment on pregnancy and rape. McCaskill also discusses her plan to make sure small business continues to grow in the state and her stance on keeping federal loans and grants available to students who depend on them.

McCaskill spoke outside a St. Louis County grade school Wednesday about the importance of the school lunch program, noting that Republican opponent Todd Akin was one of just five lawmakers to oppose funding. But she also used the time to talk about her mother, who passed away earlier this week.

It was Claire McCaskill’s first public appearance since the passing of her mother, Betty Anne Ward McCaskill.

In previous campaigns, the Senator would often bring her mother up on the stump.

Claire McCaskill said it’s been a “tumultuous time.”

Shunned by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin is instead turning to former presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich to help raise his profile and cash in the closing week of his campaign.

According to a press release, Senator Claire McCaskill’s mother died of natural causes in St. Louis this afternoon. In a statement released, McCaskill stated that “people all over the state have asked about her mother, and their prayers and concern have been greatly appreciated.”