Politics & Government

In Hubbub Over Akin and the Senate Race, Ann Wagner's Silence Is Deafening

Speculation has popped up that Ballwin's Wagner, the GOP candidate for Akin's current U.S. House seat, could swap places with Akin on the ballot.

Ballwin's Ann Wagner, the GOP candidate running to replace Todd Akin in Missouri's second congressional district, is in the news as a possible replacement for Akin for U.S. Senate.

The speculation comes in the wake of and the ability of a woman to shut down a pregnancy. News outlets and pundits are speculating that even though Tuesday's 5 p.m. deadline has passed for Akin to drop out of the race, he and Wagner could potentially switch ballot positions in the November election.

The National Review quotes a "Missouri GOP consultant" with word that such a plan is in the works. The National Journal post notes that Wagner, once co-chair of the Republican National Committee, "has long standing connections with many on the state committee given her deep involvement in the Party on the state and national levels. This allows a woman to replace Akin, which almost all agree is the wisest choice..."

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Wagner's silence through the entire controversy this week has been noteworthy. Ballwin-Ellisville Patch has put in three phone calls and an email to her campaign office β€” all without a response so far.

Akin could have dropped out yesterday with ease; while it's still possible for him to step out of the U.S. Senate race against incumbent Democrate Claire McCaskill, it would require court action at this point.

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The Washington Post also cited the National Journal report, with no response from Wagner. Patch's Google search could find nothing quoting Wagner's reaction to either Akin's comments or the speculation over a switch in her ballot race.

Tucker Carlson's Daily Caller also notes the speculation, adding that an @AnnWagnerSenate Twitter account has popped up. It is not clear whether that's an official account or one created by someone eager to drum up support for the idea.


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