COLUMBIA, MO (KMOX) - Former Senator and U.N. Ambassador John Danforth doesn’t support Rep. Todd Akin’s candidacy.

After a fundraising event in Columbia for Missouri Attorney General candidate Ed Martin, Danforth spoke to reporters about Akin.

“I’ve spend a very good part of my life trying to build the Republican Party and I’m proud of that party and I think it has a very responsible role to play, especially in today’s world, particularly in an age of Obama and I think Todd Akin damages the Republican brand and I think he hurts the party in the minds of many people,” Danforth said.

“He hurts other people who are running for public office as Republicans. And he has offended a lot of women who really resent what he said and what he stands for. And I think it’s important for the Republic Party to say ‘that’s not us.’”

Akin has picked up the recent support of many Missouri Republicans, including Sen. Roy Blunt, but that hasn’t swayed Danforth’s opinion.

“I’m a great fan of Roy Blunt’s and I think David Cole is terrific as our state chairman and I understand what they’re saying but my own opinion is that it’s important for the Republican Party to be the Republican Party and to be able to appeal to all kinds of people and not to offend people.”