Additional sources confirm pop singer and gay American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken is assembling a political team to run for the Democratic nomination in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, WRAL News reports:
Aiken, a Raleigh native, is expected to make an official announcement next month, sources said.
Sources said Aiken has talked to Democratic consultants Betsy Conti, Nation Hahn and Gary Pearce about possibly helping with a run for Congress. He also has spoken with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, sources said.
Former state Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco and Durham attorney Houston Barnes have already announced plans to seek the Democratic nomination in the 2nd District, which is now held by Republican Congresswoman Renee Ellmers.
Elmers defeated seven-term Democratic incumbent Bob Etheridge in the 2010 midterm elections. In 2011, Republican state lawmakers redrew the district to be more favorable to GOP candidates.
In 2012, Aiken spoke out against Amendment One, North Carolina's anti-gay marriage amendment that was eventually passed by voters 61%-39%.
