Republican U.S. Congressman Todd Akin is quitting his senate race, according to multiple GOP politicos, including CNN’s Erick Erickson, and Richard Grenell, Mitt Romney’s former foreign policy spokesperson.

Breaking: Senior GOP official: Akin advisors making preparations for a withdrawal tomorrow.

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) August 20, 2012

Senior MO GOP officials have asked Akin to step aside. So far, he is resisting.

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) August 20, 2012

RT @ewerickson: Todd Akin will withdraw from the MO Senate race.

— Patrick Ruffini (@PatrickRuffini) August 20, 2012

Akin over the weekend made infamous remarks stating a rape victim’s body can automatically avoid becoming pregnant if her rape is “legitimate.”

Akin may have made the decision after the NRSC chair issued a strongly-worded statement suggesting Akin withdraw, and Karl Rove pulled all his Crossroads GPS funding from Akin.

Akin is running against Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, and up until Sunday was beating her by about eight percentage points.

And Buzzfeed notes:

“Akin is taking concrete steps to withdraw by tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.,” a senior Republican told BuzzFeed, adding that Akin could still change his mind.

Tomorrow afternoon is an important deadline: If he files papers to end his candidacy in Jefferson City tomorrow he can end his candidacy unilaterally; after that, he would have to file an application in court.

Possible Republican replacements, the source said, include three former senators: John Ashcroft, Jim Talent, and Kit Bond. Other names being mentioned include former Ambassador Ann Wagner, who is running for Akin’s now-vacant seat; and Auditor Tom Schweich.

This is a developing story — no word on whether Akin will resign his House seat.

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