Rep. Todd Akin, the new GOP Senate nominee in Missouri, said in an interview that "legitimate rape" rarely causes pregnancy, according to the Washington Post.
When asked why he opposes abortion even in cases of rape, Akin said, "First of all, from what I understand from doctors, (pregnancy from rape) is really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." He later said he misspoke.
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan criticized Akin in a statement.
U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., has asked Akin to withdraw from his race, according to Boston.com . "As a husband and father of two young women, I found Todd Akin's comments about women and rape outrageous, inappropriate and wrong," Brown said in a statement.
LGBT-rights organizations have also condemned Akin. "Todd Akin displayed a shockingly cold ignorance to the victims of rape this past weekend, and that's an ignorance that unfortunately extends to his views of LGBT people as well," Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin said in a statement.
"Over the last decade, Akin has been one of the leading voices in the House working against the best interests of LGBT peoplehe's against any kind of relationship recognition for same-sex couples; he's made remarks that are demeaning to LGBT families; he voted against the historic repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and he refuses to support workplace protections. Todd Akin is no friend to anyone who has experienced discrimination and is looking to their elected officials to protect their rights under the law."