Clay Aiken has vied for America's vote once before on American Idol, but now the 35-year-old singer/actor and former special education teacher is doing it again. After rumors surfaced last month that he was considering a bid for Congress, Aiken confirmed the rumors today (Feb. 5) by launching a campaign website at clayaiken.com.
As politicians are apt to do, Aiken launched his Congressional campaign with a nearly five-minute video explaining his background and reason for running. In the heartfelt clip, Aiken cited his days growing up with a single mother in North Carolina, with her working the night shift at Sears after escaping an abusive husband, as his desire to help bring change to the world.
Aiken also claimed that North Carolina's 2nd district's current representative, republican Renee Ellmers, has eschewed her own beliefs and what is best for North Carolina for party politics, voting in favor of military cuts and the government shutdown.
Watch Aiken's first campaign video below:
Aiken claimed he's "not a politician and has no desire to ever be one" in the clip, and this will be his first attempt at running for office. He's fighting a relatively uphill battle against Ellmers and is also expected to battle it out against two other democrats in the primary election this spring.
