Todd Akin and the 6th District Race

The comment that shocked a nation is now working its way into congressional campaigns.

This past weekend, “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.”

That comment has angered people in both parties, with many in the GOP -- including Sen. Scott Brown -- pushing for him to quit the Senate race.

Women for Tierney -- a coalition of women community leaders and activists from across the 6th District supporting Congressman John Tierney's reelection campaign -- issued a statement condemning Akin and the Republican party and promoting Tierney's pro-choice record.

“Women in Massachusetts and across this country are appalled by the comments made by Congressman Todd Akin this weekend,” Regina Villa of Women For Tierney said. “Not only are his words deeply hurtful to women, but they betray a shocking misunderstanding of women's health and an indifference to women's welfare. Akin’s words should serve as a grave reminder for what is at stake in this election. If it’s not outrageous comments like this one, it’s Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan pushing a bill that tries to narrow the definition of rape to 'forcible rape.' The fact of the matter is, the Republican Party in Washington is working nonstop to undermine women’s rights and turn back the clock on women’s health.”

The statement does not mention Republican congressional challenger Richard Tisei, and with good reason.

"Richard agrees with Sen. Brown and most voters on those issues and that [Akin] should leave the senate race," Tisei spokesman Paul Moore said.

Tisei has a mostly pro-choice record in the Massachusetts Senate and has been given a pro-choice by NARAL, Moore added.

"He supports Planned Parenthood, he's very pro-choice with the exception that he doesn't support federal funding for abortions," Moore said.