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Akin endorses Icet in state auditor contest

Election-eve, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin(left) is announcing his support for Republican state auditor candidate Allen Icet (right) in the latter's contest with GOP rival Tom Schweich.

Akin, R-Town and Country, did not mention Schweich -- who has the backing of several other top Republicans -- in his remarks.

Akin simply said in a statement, "After seeing the terrible mismanagement of Washington over the last two years, the chance to elect Republican Allen Icet as Missouri’s auditor is good news.

"For five years he served as budget chairman overseeing Missouri’s balanced budget. As auditor Allen has the background and determination to hold these same agencies accountable. I am voting for Allen Icet in the republican primary."

Akin's comments how the GOP state auditor's race has revolved around the party faithful's disgust with the Democrats running Washington, especially President Barack Obama.

Schweich, a former member of the Bush administration, has the support of former Sen. John C. Danforth, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.

The latest independent poll has shown Icet and Schweich to be neck-and-neck, with almost half of likely voters undecided.

The article originally appeared in the St. Louis Beacon.

Jo Mannies is a freelance journalist and former political reporter at St. Louis Public Radio.