Politics

Clay Aiken Says He is Running For Congress in North Carolina

"American Idol" star will run in North Carolina's 2nd District

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After weeks of exploration and conversations with Democratic officials, "American Idol" alumnus Clay is running for Congress.

In a video released Wednesday, Aiken said he will seek the Democratic nomination to run against Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., in North Carolina's second congressional district in the 2014 midterm election.

Aiken leaned on his hardscrabble upbringing in the video, noting that his star turn on the popular singing show was a far cry from his childhood with a single mother who'd fled his abusive father.