— Wanted: Key campaign staff.

Quietly during the holiday break, top staffers at U.S. Rep. Todd Akin’s senate campaign parted ways with Akin, according to the National Journal.

Among those who left: Karl Hansen, Akin’s campaign manager; Chris LaCivita, his general consultant; and Heather Grote, his finance director. LaCivita confirmed with the National Journal that they all did leave the campaign, but did not offer further explanation.

After announcing his candidacy for the Republican nomination to take on Sen. Claire McCaskill last May, Akin has had trouble controlling his message through the summer. He flubbed arollout of support, and faced opposition from even members of his own party during tough battles in Congress.

Akin, who primarily pulls support from the conservative wing of the Republican party, faces two opponents in the Republican party next August, including St. Louis businessman John Brunner and former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman.

Citing Akin’s repeated flubs, Steelman’s failure to raise significant campaign funds, and Brunner’sbusiness baggage, the National Journal said, “the Missouri GOP field has been among the weakest in any of the tossup Senate races.”

UPDATE: Tuesday afternoon, Akin announced his son, Perry Akin, would manage his campaign. (Sarah Steelman’s son, Sam, manages her campaign.)

(A request for comment from the Akin campaign was not immediately returned.)