News Tribune

Todd earned his engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1971. It was in college that he picked up playing guitar, a hobby which he still greatly enjoys. After graduation, he served as an Army officer and then went on to work for IBM, where he met his future wife, Lulli. On a lovely day in June of 1975, after a year of weekend hiking trips and tennis matches, Todd married his best friend.

In December of 1977, with their first son just a baby, the young couple moved back to Missouri in the middle of a blizzard. That winter was one of the snowiest on record - just perfect for Lulli, whose parents had emigrated from Norway. Todd turned in his IBM suit for a hardhat and began work at Laclede Steel Company, where he was responsible for 2,000 employees and the maintenance of seven mills.

His love of country and conviction that leaders must stand on principle led him to run for State Representative.

In 1984, Todd earned his Master of Divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary. Although most of his classmates went on to become pastors or missionaries, Todd took a different path. For several years he studied the founding of America and the principles which made this country great. His love of country and conviction that leaders must stand on principle led him to run for State Representative in 1988. 

As a State Representative, Todd quickly gained a reputation for his conservative stands. Although the Missouri House was Democrat controlled at this time, he fought fiercely to protect life, parental rights, and gun ownership. He also worked hard to get concealed carry onto the ballot.

In 2000, Todd ran for U.S. Congress in the 2nd District. It was a hotly contested five-way primary. Although the political elite in DC termed him a “third-tier” candidate, his message resonated with the voters. A shout went up from the hot and tired volunteers who were crowded into the Akins’ living room when they learned that Todd had won by 56 votes. He went on to win the general as well.

As a congressman, Todd continued to champion conservative principles. His very first vote in congress was against “No Child Left Behind.” In fact, he was the only congressman in Missouri to vote against it. Since then, his principled stands have continued. He even withstood the pressure of personal phone calls from the President and threats from his top donors. Yet accompanying these rock-solid convictions is a man who is respectful of his colleagues and willing to work with anyone toward real solutions.

Todd was elected Vice-President of his freshman class in Congress. He is a member of the Science, Budget, and Armed Forces Committees, Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, and former co-chair of the House Prayer Breakfast.

During all this, Todd and Lulli found time to homeschool their four boys and two girls. At the bustling Akin home the days were filled with studying at the kitchen table, working in the workshop, attending political events, and building go-carts and tree forts. Todd’s oldest graduated from Missouri Baptist University. The next three boys graduated from the Naval Academy and became Marine Corps officers. Todd’s older daughter is a senior at Hillsdale College and his younger one is still in high school. Three of the boys are now married and Todd has eight spunky grandchildren. When Todd can spare the time, he still loves to build furniture in his workshop, play folk songs on his guitar and play tennis with Lulli.

With a background in engineering and a love of America’s founding principles, Todd Akin is a rarity in the political world. In that world of mudslinging, empty promises, and scrambling for power, Todd’s humility and unswerving devotion to God and country shine clearly. He has proven himself to be the principled leader who Missourians trust.