Clay Aiken Declared Winner of Congressional Primary
Clay Aiken may have lost the second season of American Idol back in 2003, but he's found redemption in the political arena.
Aiken has been declared the winner of the North Carolina Congressional Democratic Primary. This, after Aiken's chief rival, Keith Crisco, passed away suddenly from injuries sustained in a fall in his home. Aiken had been leading the election with 369 votes once polls closed, but the result was declared "too close to call." An official canvassing was ordered to tally the remaining votes, at which point it was declared that Aiken was the winner. However, for what it's worth, Crisco's campaign manager, Christine Botta, confirmed that Crisco had planned to concede the race after absentee votes were counted.
Aiken now advances to the election on Nov. 4, where he will square off against Republican incumbent Renee Elmers for North Carolina's second Congressional District seat.
However, due to Crisco's death, Aiken has suspended all campaign activities, which means there will be no statement today commenting on the results:
"Due to our decision to suspend campaign activities, we are not releasing any statements today," said a rep for Aiken.
Still, he can't stop us from congratulating him! Go get'em, Clay!
Credit: Curtis Brown