Former ‘American Idol’ Runner-Up Clay Aiken Announces Run for Congress

‘You might wonder what would qualify me to run’

Clay Aiken Announces Run for Congress (Mediaite)

On Wednesday morning former American Idolrunner-up Clay Aiken announced he would compete as a Democrat for North Carolina’s 2nd District House seat.

In a four-minute announcement on YouTube, Aiken cited his upbringing under an abusive father, his role as special-ed teacher, and his time abroad with UNICEF as preparing him for a career helping people; he also name-checked George W Bush, who appointed him to a special commission on education, for bipartisan cred.

“I’m not a politician, and I don’t ever want to be one,” Aiken said. “But I do want to help bring back at least to my corner of North Carolina the idea that someone can go to Washington to represent all the people, whether they voted for you or not.”

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