Clay Aiken is running for a NC seat in Congress
American Idol star Clay Aiken is running for a North Carolina seat in Congress.
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American Idol star Clay Aiken wants to represent the Triangle as he runs for a North Carolina seat in Congress.
Aiken, a Democrat, joins a field that includes State Sen. Wiley Nickel, D-Wake, and state Sen. Valerie Foushee, D-Orange. Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam and Richard Watkins, a Durham virologist, are also running to represent the district.
The winner would replace Rep. David Price, who announced his retirement in October.
Aiken says that, if elected, he would use his voice "to deliver on needed progressive policies – from stopping climate change, systemic racism, income inequality and gun violence, to securing voting rights, free health care, and a woman’s right to choose."
He would be the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress elected from the South, his campaign said.
Before appearing on American Idol in 2003, he taught special education. Although Aiken lost American Idol to Ruben Studdard, he became a household name, releasing multiple albums and using his fame to bring awareness to multiple social and political issues.
He founded The National Inclusion Project to help children with special needs and advocated for humanitarian efforts in war-torn and tragedy-stricken countries on behalf of UNICEF as a National Goodwill Ambassador, according to his website.
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