Politics

Report: Clay Aiken ‘actively considering’ run for Congress

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Season Two “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken might run for Congress as a Democrat in his home state of North Carolina, according to a new report.

The singer and gay icon is considering a run for Congress, two Democratic sources with knowledge of the crooner’s plans told the Washington Blade, one describing Aiken as “sounding and acting like a candidate.”

The 35-year-old Aiken would be running to represent the state’s 2nd Congressional District, the seat currently held by Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers.

One of the Blade’s sources said that Raleigh native has talked to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and others about a run, and the other source said that Aiken has met with a partner at Hart Research Associates to gauge support.

Neither the DCCC or Hart Associates confirmed the meeting to the Blade.

In addition to his singing career, the runner-up to Ruben Studdard has also been actively pushing for LGBT rights since he came out in 2008, lobbying Congress for anti-bullying legislation in 2010, and working on behalf of UNICEF and children with disabilities.

North Carolina’s filling deadline is Feb. 28, and the primary is scheduled for May 6.

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