American Idol #2 runner-up Clay Aiken announced Monday he’s running for Congress again in North Carolina, this time seeking to succeed the retiring US Rep. David Price in the 6th congressional district.
‘Hey, folks. It’s been awhile. Now, I know I look a little different these days, but we’ve met before,’ the 43-year-old progressive Democrat said in his campaign announcement video.
‘I came home. I came out. I became a father. These days my life looks a lot more like yours than Justin Bieber’s – I can promise you. But one thing that has never changed for me is that I love my home state.’
‘#JoinTheChorus’: American Idol #2 runner-up Clay Aiken announced Monday he’s running for Congress again in North Carolina, this time seeking to succeed the retiring US Rep. David Price in the 6th congressional district
Aiken (born Clayton Grissom) is a proud 10th generation North Carolinian – who was born, raised, and currently resides in the overwhelmingly Democratic Wake County.
If elected in November, Clay – who came out in 2008 – would make history as the first LGBTQ member of Congress from the South.
The University of North Carolina grad aims to fight for inclusion, income equality, free access to quality health care, and combating climate change.
‘In Congress, I’ll use my voice to advocate for common-sense policies that encourage continued job growth and healthy communities,’ Aiken – who boasts 434K social media followers – said in a statement.
The 43-year-old progressive Democrat said in his campaign announcement video: ‘Hey, folks. It’s been awhile. Now, I know I look a little different these days, but we’ve met before’
Aiken (born Clayton Grissom) continued: ‘I came home. I came out. I became a father. These days my life looks a lot more like yours than Justin Bieber’s – I can promise you. But one thing that has never changed for me is that I love my home state’
State pride: Clay is a proud 10th generation North Carolinian – who was born, raised, and currently resides in the overwhelmingly Democratic Wake County
‘Many of these political battles divide us as people, threaten our democracy, and weaken America. North Carolinians are worried about affordable health care and rapid inflation.
‘They are worried about their retirement savings and are frustrated by crowded interstates and infrastructure that hasn’t kept up with our rapid growth. These are the issues that matter, and these are the issues I will focus on in Congress.’
It’s Clay’s second run after losing the 2nd congressional district of North Carolina in 2014 to Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers by 59% of the vote.
In 2008, the Politicon podcaster welcomed his 13-year-old son Parker via IVF with his friend Jaymes Foster – now 63 – who’s the sister of 16-time Grammy-winning producer David Foster.
Came out in 2008: If elected in November, the University of North Carolina grad would make history as the first LGBTQ member of Congress from the South
‘I’ll use my voice to advocate for common-sense policies’: Aiken aims to fight for inclusion, income equality, free access to quality health care, and combating climate change
Newly-drawn map: It’s Clay’s second run after losing the 2nd congressional district of North Carolina in 2014 to Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers by 59% of the vote
In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Aiken for a two-year term to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, and he later founded The National Inclusion Project.
As a UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador, Clay has also advocated for humanitarian efforts in war-torn and tragedy-stricken countries.
Daily Mail columnist Meghan McCain took to Twitter on Monday to congratulate The Celebrity Apprentice #5 runner-up on his campaign launch, telling him ‘We love you!’
The 37-year-old daughter of the late Senator John McCain has surely offered her insight and advice to Aiken as a political commentator considering he sang at her 2017 wedding.
Fatherhood: In 2008, the Politicon podcaster welcomed his 13-year-old son Parker via IVF with his friend Jaymes Foster – now 63 – who’s the sister of 16-time Grammy-winning producer David Foster
Compassion: In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Aiken for a two-year term to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, and he later founded The National Inclusion Project
As a UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador, Clay has also advocated for humanitarian efforts in war-torn and tragedy-stricken countries
‘Clay and I are polar opposites politically. We disagree on almost everything except our friendship,’ Meghan tweeted at his rival Nida Allam.
‘The worst part of the rot in DC is politicians not being able to be civil and have relationships to work with the other side. Grow up, I can congratulate my friend on his run.’
Not only is Allam running for the 6th congressional district, Clay will also compete against North Carolina Senate members Valerie Foushee and Wiley Nickel as well as virologist Richard Watkins.
Daily Mail columnist Meghan McCain took to Twitter on Monday to congratulate The Celebrity Apprentice #5 runner-up on his campaign launch, telling him: ‘We love you!’
BFFs: The 37-year-old daughter of the late Senator John McCain (L, pictured in 2017) has surely offered her insight and advice to Aiken as a political commentator considering he sang at her 2017 wedding
Meghan tweeted at his rival Nida Allam: ‘Clay and I are polar opposites politically. We disagree on almost everything except our friendship. The worst part of the rot in DC is politicians not being able to be civil and have relationships to work with the other side. Grow up, I can congratulate my friend on his run’
Competitors: Not only is Allam (pictured Sunday) running for the 6th congressional district, Clay will also compete against North Carolina Senate members Valerie Foushee and Wiley Nickel as well as virologist Richard Watkins