The furious fight by Republicans to replace a controversial candidate in the Missouri Senate race is intensifying.

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Aug. 21 was the deadline for Congressman Todd Akin to drop out of the race after comments he made about abortion created a firestorm.

"I don't apologize for being pro-life and standing up for the ones who are defenseless," Akin has since said.

In an interview on the radio show of former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Akin said that if it's "legitimate rape, the female body has ways to shut that whole thing down."

Akin insists he's staying in the Missouri Senate race against incumbent Claire McCaskill. A win for Akin could tip the power in the upper chamber.

In his apology, Akin added, "No, I was medically wrong. I understand that pregnancy can result from rape."

Despite allowing Tuesday's deadline to drop out pass, the list of Republican leaders pushing him to quit continues to grow.

Wednesday, GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan confirmed he made a plea over the phone.

"He should've dropped out of the race, but he's not. He's gonna run his campaign; we'll run ours," Ryan said.

Former RNC Chair Michael Steele agrees with his colleagues, telling Newstalk's Bruce Depuyt that Akin still can and should get out of the race.

"This view held by the congressman or at least expressed by the congressman is way outside the American mainstream with regard to this issue," Steele said.

There is one last option.

If Akin does decide to quit the race, he could go to court before September 25 and have his name removed from the ballot.