Missouri women say Akin is 'scary' in McCaskill ad

Catalina Camia | USATODAY

Just in time for Halloween, Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill's latest campaign ad features women in Missouri saying GOP Rep. Todd Akin is "scary."

Akin, a six-term lawmaker, has apologized for saying in August that women can prevent pregnancy in cases of "legitimate rape." The Senate GOP campaign committee withdrew its financial support of Akin, who is trailing McCaskill in recent statewide polls.

"Todd's statement about legitimate rape is beyond the pale," says an older woman in the McCaskill ad.

Although establishment Republicans are not supporting Akin, the congressman is getting financial and campaign support from social conservatives. "I know a good man with a Christian heart who has withstood a test of fire and emerged from the flame as strong as steel," says former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee in a new Akin ad.

The Missouri Senate race is one of a handful that could decide majority control in the chamber. McCaskill leads Akin by about 4 percentage points in statewide polling, according to RealClearPolitics.