PHOTO GALLERY: Missouri candidates at the gubernatorial and senatorial debates

Crowd watches the gubernatorial and senatorial debate hosted by the Missouri Press Association Friday at the Holiday Inn Executive Center.   |  Connie McCollom

Republican Dave Spence answers a question in the gubernatorial debate with Gov. Jay Nixon and Libertarian Jim Higgins on Friday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center.   |  Kayla Kauffman

Libertarian Jim Higgins waits to deliver his closing statement in the gubernatorial debate with Gov. Jay Nixon and Republican Dave Spence on Friday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center.   |  Kayla Kauffman

Robin Acree and Fenny Dorsey, with the Grassroots Organizing, protest outside the gubernatorial and senatorial debate on Friday at the Holiday Inn Executive Center. The group chanted, "Claire and Todd listen to me. Don't cut social security."

  |  Connie McCollom

Missouri Libertarian candidate Jonathan Dine addresses the crowd, moderators and other candidates on Friday in the senatorial debate with Todd Akin and Claire McCaskill.   |  Kayla Kauffman

Sen. Claire McCaskill speaks to press after her debate with Todd Akin and Jonathan Dine on Friday. While McCaskill was approached by media after the debate, Akin was mobbed by the press. He came into the national limelight after making controversial comments about rape.   |  Kayla Kauffman

Todd Akin speaks to press after the debate with Sen. Claire McCaskill and Jonathan Dine on Friday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. Akin was the center of a media frenzy after the debate as news outlets clamored to get photographs and statements.   |  Kayla Kauffman