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'American Idol' Star Clay Aiken Running For Congress In North Carolina
Former American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken launched a run for Congress in North Carolina Monday, marking the second time the singer has run for Congress after previously losing a general election in the state in 2014.
Aiken is a “strong Democrat” who wants to “give a voice to those who want to bring sanity and civility back to the political conversation,” his campaign website notes.
The website said Aiken is in favor of “progressive policies” on issues like climate change, systemic racism, income inequality, gun violence, voting rights, abortion and healthcare.
Aiken is running in North Carolina’s recently redrawn 6th congressional district, which includes Durham and is rated a “solidly Democratic” seat by FiveThirtyEight, after incumbent Rep. David E. Price (D-N.C.) announced he would not run for reelection.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“As Democrats, we have got to get better at speaking up and using our voices,” Aiken said in a video announcing his candidacy, noting that far-right figures like Reps. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) “ain’t quieting down anytime soon.” “If the loudest and most hateful voices think they’re gonna speak for us, just tell them I’m warming up the old vocal chords.”
SURPRISING FACT
If elected, Aiken would be the first openly gay congressman from the South, he said in his campaign video.
Aiken is a “strong Democrat” who wants to “give a voice to those who want to bring sanity and civility back to the political conversation,” his campaign website notes.
The website said Aiken is in favor of “progressive policies” on issues like climate change, systemic racism, income inequality, gun violence, voting rights, abortion and healthcare.
Aiken is running in North Carolina’s recently redrawn 6th congressional district, which includes Durham and is rated a “solidly Democratic” seat by FiveThirtyEight, after incumbent Rep. David E. Price (D-N.C.) announced he would not run for reelection.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“As Democrats, we have got to get better at speaking up and using our voices,” Aiken said in a video announcing his candidacy, noting that far-right figures like Reps. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) “ain’t quieting down anytime soon.” “If the loudest and most hateful voices think they’re gonna speak for us, just tell them I’m warming up the old vocal chords.”
SURPRISING FACT
If elected, Aiken would be the first openly gay congressman from the South, he said in his campaign video.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/01/10/american-idol-star-clay-aiken-running-for-congress-in-north-carolina
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