WhoRunsGov

Todd Akin (R-Mo.)

U.S. Representative (since January 2001)

(House web site)

Why He Matters

Even in a House Republican Conference that has moved distinctly to the right in recent decades, Akin stands out as one of its most conservative members. The former Army combat engineer and Missouri legislator was first elected to represent the 2nd district in 2000 after winning a hard-fought primary by just 56 votes. Since then, he has avoided serious reelection challenges and built a reputation for holding the conservative line on both social and fiscal policy.

Akin has trumpeted his support from religious conservatives, backing proposals to promote the display of the Ten Commandments on public property, to keep references to God in the Pledge of Allegiance and to teach intelligent design alonside evolution in public schools. On budget issues, he has steadfastly opposed government bailouts of private industry.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Missouri Assembly (1988-2000); Management director, Laclede Steel (1977-1980); Marketing manager, IBM (1974-1977)
  • Birthday: July 5, 1947
  • Hometown: Town and Country, Mo.
  • Alma Mater: Worchester Polytechnic Institute, B.S. 1971; Covenant Theological Seminary, M. Div. 1985
  • Spouse: Lulli
  • Religion: Presbyterian
  • Committees: Armed Services ; Science and Technology ; Budget
  • DC Office: 117 Cannon House Office Building, 202-225-2561
  • State/District Office: St. Louis, 314-590-0029; St. Charles, 636-949-6826
 

Path to Power

Born in 1947 in New York City, Akin was raised in the wealthy St. Louis suburb of Town and Country. He continues to live in his boyhood home. His father was the CEO of a local steel company.

A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, Akin studied engineering before serving as a lieutenant in the Army Combat Engineers. He also worked in the Boston-area for IBM selling large computer systems before returning to Missouri in the late 1970s and working in management at his father's steel firm. He would later attend divinity school.

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The Issues

One of the more conservative members of Congress, Akin voted with his party 94 percent of the time during the 111th Congress.

Akin voted against the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001, calling President George W. Bush's marquee domestic legislation a potential federal intrusion into local issues.

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The Network

Akin was a key supporter of Vicky Hartzler, the Republican who unseated longtime Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) in 2010. The two sit on the House Armed Services Committee together.

 

Additional Resources

  1. "Parent's Right to Know Act of 2009"
  2. Young, Virginia, "McCaskill on the minds of GOP Senate hopefuls" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Feb. 27, 2011
  3. "Washington Post Votes Database"
  4. Shesgreen, Deirdre, "Akin: In his heart, he knows he's right No compromise Congressman will not give, even as others in the GOP move to the center." St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 2, 2008
  5. Stern, Eric, "VALUES, VIRTUES DRIVE RACE TO SUCCEED TALENT: AKIN HOPES TO TAKE HIS WORK;ETHIC TO WASHINGTON" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Aug. 27, 2000
  6. Akin, Todd, "Federal spending must be cut" St. Louis Beacon, Feb. 27, 2011
  7. "Cuts in Government Spending a "Good Start," says Akin" Press Release
  8. Singer, Dale, "After opposing the stimulus, members of Congress try to get some of its dollars for constituents" St. Louis Beacon, Oct. 18, 2010
  9. "MCNARY DROPS CHALLENGE TO AKIN'S PRIMARY WIN" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sept. 12, 2000
  10. "Akin/Taylor Letter to Oppose Abortion at DoD Medical Facilities Sent to House and Senate Leadership" Press Release, July 15, 2010
  11. Leiser, Ken, "AKIN GAINS A 56-VOTE WIN OVER MCNARY IN 2ND DISTRICT" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Aug. 9, 2000
  12. Lambrecht, Bill, "Voter affection for Skelton not strong enough to stem GOP tide" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nov. 4, 2010
  13. Hulse, Carl, "House Passes Court Limits On Pledge" The New York Times, Sept. 24, 2004
  14. Lambrecht, Bill, "St. Louis-area members of Congress get to work" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jan. 6, 2011
  15. Stern, Eric, "VALUES, VIRTUES DRIVE RACE TO SUCCEED TALENT: AKIN HOPES TO TAKE HIS WORK" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Aug. 27, 2000
  16. Mannies, Jo, "RAINY ELECTION DAY BRINGS OUT AKIN'S HARD-CORE SUPPORTERS" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Aug. 13, 2000
  17. "Armed Forces & Veterans"
  18. Shesgreen, Deirdre, "AKIN SAY HE'S LEANING AGAINST ADDING DRUG BENEFITS TO MEDICARE" St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nov. 20, 2003
  19. Akin, Todd, "Is mandating health care unconstitutional?" St. Louis Beacon, Sept. 13, 2010
  20. Shesgreen, Deirdre, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Akin: In His Heart, He Knows He's Right," July 2, 2008
  21. National Journal, Almanac of American Politics