There may be a glorious gay wail on the Congressional floor next year if Clay Aiken decides to make the leap into politics.
The Washington Blade is reporting several sources that suggest the American Idol runner-up and gay dad may be considering a bid to represent North Carolina in the House, and if it’s true, he “may have a shot” at snagging the “winnable seat.”
According to anonymous sources familiar with the 35-year-old Raleigh native’s plans, Aiken has “talked to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and has met with figures in Raleigh about a potential bid.” Sources also claim that he’s “actively considering” a run and working closely with Betsy Conti, a political strategist who has previously worked with NC Gov. Bev Purdue and Al Gore.
All the gossip linking Aiken to a potential career in politics is unconfirmed at the moment, but silence from the DCCC, Conti and Aiken’s former management firm is speaking volumes.
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According to the Blade, Aiken may have a shot at winning if he officially announces his candidacy:
Aiken wouldn’t be the only candidate on the Democratic side to pursue a run for the House seat, which is currently occupied by Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.). Former North Carolina Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco is expected to formally announce his candidacy on Monday. He formed a campaign committee to explore a run in December.
Although the polls indicate Republicans may be favored as the mid-term elections approach on a general ballot, the Democratic nominee — whether it’s Aiken, Crisco or someone else — may have a shot at the seat, which comprises Raleigh and was controlled by Democrats before the Republican surge in 2010. A House Democratic aide, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, described the second congressional district as a “winnable seat” for Democrats.
So, Clay, what will your first order of business in office be? Gay marriage? Same-sex adoption? Removing Ruben Studdard’s albums from store shelves?
NomNomNom
Good for him! You do realize that his son is not adopted, right?
Spike
I’d vote for Tom Daley over Clay Aiken any day!
http://i.imgur.com/aAek2.jpg
Cam
Hey at least he is running out of the closet unlike Aaron Schock, Barbara McKinley, Charlie Crist etc…
NomNomNom
@Spike: Vote with your head not your dick
CCTR
Best wishes Clay! Admirable that he would consider the position.
Dixie Rect
@Spike: Yes, yes, yes! And let’s vote for Lance Bass, Colby Melvin and Robbie Rogers for whatever they run for too!
mgmchicago
Would love to hear more about Ruben Studdard’s connection to the store shovels. Sounds juicy.
JDJase
“…has a good shot at winning.”
WHAT?!?! Completely delusional. This district went for Romney by 15.5%. NO Democrat, including Aiken (or should I say ESPECIALLY Aiken) will win this district. If Renee Ellmers kills a group of children on Halloween 2014, then Aiken might have “a good shot at winning” (maybe).
NomNomNom
@JDJase, you’re wrong. Ellmers is on the way out even by her own party members. The only opposition Clay will have is Crisco, a 70 year old businessman who will croak before the election if we’re lucky.
JDJase
@NomNomNom: The only way Ellmers will lose her seat is in a Republican primary. This is a conservative district. The numbers aren’t there for a Democrat to win. The only way you could possibly believe otherwise is if you’re one of the delusional “zomg all the Republicans are gonna lose!!!” sheep.
NomNomNom
@JDJase:
Ellmers has already lost her seat because of her own bigotry.
JDJase
@NomNomNom: wow you are delusional. Yeah I guess you’re right, a very Republican district would NEVER vote for a Republican who isn’t down with the gays! (that’s sarcasm btw, you seem like you need that pointed out to you). If you can’t provide actual analysis other than “everyone I know is gonna vote against her!!!” then don’t even attempt to argue.
NomNomNom
The DCCC declined to comment on Aiken specifically.
“Congresswoman Ellmers is responsible for the most unpopular and reckless Congress in history that’s put the middle class at greater risk, but it’s up to potential candidates to talk about whether they’re interested in running for Congress, not us,” DCCC spokesman David Bergstein said.
MomsThoughts©
He can run but I doubt he will get far once all his skeletons come out of the closet. He is a bit of a nutjob. But then again, so are most congressmen. We will just all laugh when a scandal blows up once he is in office.
NomNomNom
Skeletons? What skeletons? He’s been out for over 5 years. Had gay sex with a gay man. Um…. what else?
Kangol
Will he break into song on the floor of the House? I’d pay to see that. Even as a conservative Democrat he’d be better than a conservative Republican.
Run, Clay Aiken, run!
SteveDenver
I haven’t heard him discuss politics or a personal political point of view. I’d like to know if anyone knows his politics and qualifications. Colorado has three out gay men at the state level and they are excellent because they’re durable, brilliant and diplomatic. If Aiken has those qualities, more power to him!
Jimmy
@MomsThoughts©: You’re a damn nut job.
NomNomNom
@SteveDenver:
Google Clay Aiken + Congress. There’s about a million articles full of information. Much more than you’ll find here.