(Tampa) (AP) – Former U.S. Sen. Jim Talent of Missouri says he’s not interested in running for his old job if Republican nominee Todd Akin drops out of the race.
Speculation turned to Talent on Monday in the aftermath of Akin’s televised comment that a woman’s body has a way to prevent pregnancy from what he termed “a legitimate rape.” Some Republicans have urged the suburban St. Louis congressman to quit his race against Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill.
Talent was in Tampa, Fla., on Monday ahead of the Republican national convention. He told The Associated Press he’s been asked to run in Akin’s place but says, “I’m totally ruling it out.”
McCaskill defeated Talent for Senate in 2006. Talent had won a special Senate election in 2002.