NORTH CAROLINA: Clay Aiken Officially Joins 2014 Race For US House Seat

American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken yesterday filed the paperwork to officially become a candidate for the US House. The Charlotte News-Observer reports:

The performer, a Democrat, turned in his paperwork at the State Board of Elections to seek the 2nd District seat currently held by Republican Renee Ellmers. Aiken, who lives in the Raleigh-Durham area, announced his bid three weeks ago and must first try to win the Democratic primary in less than 10 weeks. The 2nd District, which covers all or parts of nine counties west and southwest of his native Raleigh, is considered Republican-leaning. But Aiken said the district's voters want to choose the candidate who believes "we're not going to have success just based on one party or the other — that we all have to work together." "They are enthusiastic about seeing change," he added later.

The deadline to file is today. It appears that Aiken's challengers in the primary will be former North Carolina state Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco, and Toni Morris, a counselor who finished second in the 2012 Democratic primary. The winner will face two-term GOP incumbent Rep. Renee Ellmers, who has a 0% rating from the Human Rights Campaign.