American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken has announced his bid to represent North Carolina’s 6th congressional district, Forbes reported.
Aiken announced his campaign via a cheesy video posted to Twitter, placing a strong emphasis on his former musical career, homosexual orientation and claims that he will advocate for sane, reasonable policies as a state representative.
Can you believe it’s been almost 20 years since I first got to share my voice with you? That’s a long time. A LOT has changed!
We need powerful voices more than ever, so I’m running for Congress.
And my voice is even stronger now! 😉 #JoinTheChorushttps://t.co/aQIm8a2xuZ pic.twitter.com/xBtN2CYF30
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) January 10, 2022
“As levelheaded, open-minded, and compassionate Democrats we have always been the party of all Americans, and we have got to continue to do that,” Aiken said in the video, then voices support of many far-left ideals and policies that many Americans don’t believe in or support:
“From stopping climate change and systemic racism and systemic racism and income inequality to securing voting rights and free healthcare and a woman’s right to choose, we are the ones that are going to solve this country’s biggest problems.”
This is not Aiken’s first foray into politics. In 2014, his first run for congress took place in North Carolina’s 2nd district. His campaign ended with him losing the general election to the Republican incumbent with 41% of the vote.
But it seems as if Aiken is sick of coming in second place.
As Twitter user Ross Grady has pointed out, Aiken’s shift to the recently redrawn 6th district basically ensures his victory:
I live in NC06 and there is no way on god's green earth I will be voting for Clay Aiken. And I think it is pitiful that he lost soundly the last time he ran, so this time he picked what is effectively the safest D seat in the state to run in. https://t.co/29FUBerLVJ
— Ross Grady (@rossgrady) January 10, 2022
Aiken’s announcement has been fraught with contention on the left, as he made a complimented calling former President Donald Trump in 2017:
“I imagine that in person if I saw him again today I would be charmed by him,” Aiken said. “Because he’s a very gracious person… he’s a nice guy.”
Aiken and Trump had met on Trump’s reality program Celebrity Apprentice, in 2012, where he also finished as a runner-up.
Aiken apologized for his comments defending Trump; it remains to be seen what impact his comments will have for his campaign.
