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Akin hires former "Swift Boater" as consultant for Senate campaign

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R-St. Louis) announces he will challenge Sen. Claire McCaskill for her seat in 2012 on May 17, 2011. Akin's campaign named a new consultant to their team today, Chris LaCivita.
(UPI/Bill Greenblatt)
U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R-St. Louis) announces he will challenge Sen. Claire McCaskill for her seat in 2012 on May 17, 2011. Akin's campaign named a new consultant to their team today, Chris LaCivita.

The team behind Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Akin's campaign for U.S. Senate announced the addition of a new member today, Chris LaCivita. LaCivita was  "chief strategist for Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, and co-producer of their award winning ads," according to a release from Akin's team.

"Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" was the group involved in disputing the military record of former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry in the 2004 election.

LaCivita served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the first Gulf War and has also worked for numerous other campaigns, including filling the role of campaign manager in George Allen's 2000 campaign, according to the release.

More recently, LaCivita served as political director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the November 2010 elections.