American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken ponders a run for Congress and quickly attracts mud-slinging

  • The openly gay Aiken came in second in the 2003 American Idol and the 2012 Celebrity Apprentice shows
  • He's talking with political advisors in North Carolina and Washington, D.C. about a run for the seat held by Republican Renee Ellmers
  • The singer once told a newspaper that he aspired to be North Carolina's governor
  • He has until the end of February to declare his candidacy or drop out of contention

By David Martosko, U.s. Political Editor

PUBLISHED: 15:24 EST, 3 January 2014 | UPDATED: 15:34 EST, 3 January 2014

Clay Aiken, the openly gay runner-up in the 2003 American Idol contest, is quietly exploring a run for Congress in his native North Carolina. And Republicans have already gone on the offensive.

The Washington Blade, a gay community magazine in the nation's capital, reported Friday that the crooner has talked with pollsters and election consultants to learn whether he would stand a chance to unseat Rep. Renee Ellmers, the Republican who has represented the Raleigh, North Carolina district since 2011.

Daniel Keylin, a spokesman for the North Carolina Republican Party, was unimpressed by Friday's news.

'In a testament to the weakness of the Democrat Party, Clay Aiken would actually be one of their strongest Congressional candidates if he runs,' Keylin told MailOnline.

Political high notes? Clay Aiken is actively working toward a run for Congress, sources told the LGBT-oriented Washington Blade newspaper

Political high notes? Clay Aiken is actively working toward a run for Congress, sources told the LGBT-oriented Washington Blade newspaper

Surgical nurse Renee Ellmers has represented North Carolina's Second Congressional District since 2011, and Clay Aiken reportedly wants her job

Surgical nurse Renee Ellmers has represented North Carolina's Second Congressional District since 2011, and Clay Aiken reportedly wants her job

One of the Democratic operatives Aiken has met with is Betsy Conti, a veteran of Tarheel State politics who served under Governor Bev Purdue and worked on former Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore's campaign in 2000.

Aiken lost the 2003 American Idol crown to 'velvet teddy bear' Ruben Studdard, the rotund gospel singer who made news in 2013 when he lost a reported 112 pounds on the show 'The Biggest Loser.'

His career has spanned recording, publishing, theater and television, appearing as Sir Robin in the Broadway production of 'Spamalot!' and co-authoring a New York Times best-seller in 2004 and taking second place – behind former late-night host Arsenio Hall – in the 2012 edition of Donald Trump's show 'Celebrity Apprentice.'

A run for Congress wouldn't represent the gay father's first toe-dip into politics. In July he made an appearance on Capitol Hill, urging lawmakers to get tougher on anti-gay bullying.

'I was picked on, I was called gay, I was called fag, I was called sissy, you name it,;' he said during a congressional briefing.

'Fortunately, I was able to overcome it and live through it because of a number of friends who were supportive of me.'

Aiken lost the 2003 American Idol crown to crooner Ruben Studdard (L), but both have had successful recording careers

Aiken lost the 2003 American Idol crown to crooner Ruben Studdard (L), but both have had successful recording careers

Aiken came out as gay shortly after his son was born, telling reporters that he didn't want to raise a child to hide the truth from anyone

Aiken came out as gay shortly after his son was born, telling reporters that he didn't want to raise a child to hide the truth from anyone

In 2012 he told the Charlotte Observer that he harbored a secret desire to become North Carolina's governor.

'When I was in eighth grade, we had to do a project where we interviewed somebody we admired and wrote a paper about them,' he said. 'Everybody did a parent or their youth pastor or someone close to them. I called [then-U.S. Senator] Terry Sanford’s office in Raleigh and went and interviewed [him].'

Aiken has not yet announced his candidacy. The deadline for running in the May 6 primary election is February 28.

If he were to enter the race, he would face former North Carolina Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco, who has far more government experience but less name recognition.

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Uh ... no.

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Ah yes, DM jumps on the mud slinging band wagon. After all, if you are a GLAAD member, you are suppose to be shielded from criticism. GLAAD calls names, it's speaking truth to power, conservatives states facts -- it's vicious lies and mud slinging. What a world we live in.

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The fact that people are using his sexual orientation as a reason to laugh off his ambition to run is pathetic and disgusting. I think that his desire to serve the public is honorable. No one needs political experience to do the job of a congressman. They need to be personable and understand the struggles that face Americans, which I'm sure that Aiken does better than most career politicians. He didn't come from money and worked hard for what he has, which can't be said for most people in office today. He has worked with autistic children and understands the struggles that middle class families face. Again, most people in government have never known such struggles. His sexual orientation should not matter and the fact that it does to some people is just nauseating. The fact that he is a celebrity shouldn't matter much either - he wouldn't be the first to run for office and serve.

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I live in this district - Raleigh, NC. Some of you seem to think that just because it is "The South", it is automatically very conservative. This district happens to be slightly more conservative but it is more evenly split than I, an ardent conservative, would like. But I don't think that Clay Aiken has a chance in this district. He would not be taken seriously here due to his persona as an entertainer & his sexual orientation, plus he's just too liberal & has zero experience. It's laughable, really. It would be one thing if he were really involved in the affairs of the community here but he's not, not that I know of. Or if he were at least more middle of the road politically, or owned a business here or something, but nothing! He's going to be a joke.

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Don't think so, Clay. Nice try though.

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Lol, for the GOP? And in the South. Okay, good luck with that! Hah.

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Is she seriously considering this? What a joke.

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Paulo, your perception of reality is skewed. Reagan was not the "best" president we've had. Far from it!

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Town Cryer would be a better fit for Mr. Aiken

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Clay should first start in local city government and work his way up. That way he gains the experience people think he should have first before running for congressional government. He also needs to state what he stands for in government.

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Yeah....because after doing that a southern homaphobic red state is going to jump all over the chance to elect him to congress.

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