INDIANAPOLIS -  

Indiana GOP Senate candidate Richard Mourdock is continuing on his campaign trail amid the firestorm that followed controversial comments he made on rape and abortion during a debate.

In the debate, Mourdock said, "I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize that life is that gift from God. And, I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen."

In a news conference late Wednesday morning, Mourdock clarified his remarks.

"Anyone who views that understands fully what I meant. I really believe that," Mourdock said Wednesday. "I don't think God wants rape. Rape is evil. I abhor it, and I'm confident God abhors it. I apologize if anyone gets that interpretation from that unfortunate use of words."

On Thursday, Mourdock jumped back on the campaign trail to attend a breakfast fundraiser in Avon with South Carolina U.S. Senator Jim Demint.

Many Hoosiers were still buzzing about Mourdock's comments just weeks before the election.

"I think most people make too big of a deal out of most politics. But that was a stupid comment, and it's going to hurt him," said one voter who asked to remain anonymous.

"I think it will hurt his campaign, especially with women voters. No woman wants to be raped and I don't think that God intended for it to happen," voter Denita Rivera said.

Mourdock remained confident in his campaign despite the controversy.

"We're moving on from this. I'm confident that Hoosier voters are going to be moving on and be supporting us in big numbers," Mourdock said.

His democratic challenger Joe Donnelly called Mourdock's comments "extreme and hurtful to women."