TRAILER: The Runner-Up

Billboard reports:

The political baptism of Clay Aiken will be explored with the premiere of the new docu-series, The Runner-Up, premiering Tuesday night (April 7) on the Esquire Network. From the very first frame, the cameras follow him from his initial days stumping door to door to the nail-biting drama leading to the results of the primary election as the American Idol and Celebrity Apprentice alum campaigns for a North Carolina Congressional seat in 2014. What the cameras did capture was Aiken-a Democrat- unfiltered. He curses like a sailor, micro-manages his staff -- a key example is when he obsesses over the proper way signs are displayed for oncoming traffic -- and says some politically incorrect statements about his Democratic opposition, Keith Crisco, who attacked him in campaign advertisements stating he did not show up for meetings of a presidential committee for people with disabilities. He also takes selfies on the campaign trail with unsuspecting voters who did not even realize he was running for office, records robo-calls with his cell phone, and stews over how publicity for his campaign is being run. All of this -- and the nail biting drama of waiting for primary results -- is captured in four days worth of footage. And that’s just the first episode.

The Esquire Network used to be the Style Network. Find it on your local cable provider here.

RE-ELECTED: All LGBT House Members

The 2014 midterms were not a total disaster, at least for the six openly LGBT members of the US House. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Rep. Jared Polis* (D-CO), Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Rep Mark Pocan (D-WI), Rep David Cicilline (D-RI), and Rep. Kysten Sinema (D-AZ) all retained their seats today. 

Openly gay US House candidates who lost their bids today include Oklahoma state Sen. Al McCaffrey, Texas military veteran Louie Minor, North Carolina American Idol finalist Clay Aiken, former Massachusetts GOP legislator Richard Tisei, and New York investment banker Sean Eldridge, the husband of Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes.

The House bid of scandal-plagued homocon Carl DeMaio is too close to call at this writing.

*Not pictured.

NORTH CAROLINA: Clay Aiken Loses

Incumbent Rep. Renee Ellmers first won election in the Tea Party wave of 2010 with an endorsement from Sarah Palin. Ellmers voted to fund the GOP effort to defend DOMA.

NORTH CAROLINA: Democrat Clay Aiken Claims Support From "Republaikens"

Gay US House candidate Clay Aiken is causing some head scratching in North Carolina with a new campaign slogan touting his "Republaiken" supporters.

The new "Republaiken" yard signs and stickers are popping up across the second congressional district. His spokesperson said the new messaging is a way to reach out to everyone and show that even some Republicans are supporting his bid, but critics say Aiken is trying to trick voters into thinking he is a Republican. "Who are they trying to fool?" N.C. State University political science professor Steven Greene said. "Presumably, Republican voters because it is a district that certainly leans Republican and where a Democrat would hopefully want to make some headway with Republican voters. Presumably, this is a way to try and do that, though I'm dubious on how successful that might be."

Aiken is currently trailing GOP incumbent Rep. Renee Elmers by several points.

NORTH CAROLINA: Clay Aiken's Primary Opponent Dies After Fall At Home

Former North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco died at the age of 71 today following a fall at his home. Crisco was Clay Aiken's opponent in last week's Democratic primary for the U.S House. 

His campaign spokesperson said Crisco was preparing to leave his home when he fell down a flight of stairs. Crisco was trailing Aiken by just a few hundred votes in the primary, and was reportedly waiting for final numbers before deciding if he would ask for a recount. The winner of the primary takes on incumbent Rep. Renee Ellmers this fall. Crisco was born and raised in North Carolina. Crisco was married for 49 years to his wife Jane. They had three children and six grandchildren.

Aiken has issued a statement.

"We are incredibly shocked and saddened to hear about Keith Crisco's sudden passing. Keith was an accomplished businessman and public servant with a sterling reputation and a tremendous amount of respect from North Carolinians across the partisan spectrum. Keith, like my father, served the state as Commerce Secretary with dignity and humility, and also like my father, passed away well before his time. Keith's family is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. I am suspending all campaign activities as we pray for his family and friends."

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory:

"My heart sank, like so many other people who admired Keith Crisco, when I learned of his sudden passing. While I was a mayor, and now as governor, Keith was a partner, collaborator and strong advocate for the state he loved. Although Keith was a Democrat and a Pfeiffer University graduate, and I went to Catawba and am a Republican, nothing could stop Keith Crisco from building a lasting friendship. North Carolina was blessed and is a better state because of his leadership.”

NORTH CAROLINA: Clay Aiken Apparent Winner In Democratic US House Primary

Via the Raleigh News & Observer:

The battle between Keith Crisco, a moderate, business-friendly Democrat, and former “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken came down to a very slim margin Tuesday night: As the vote-count neared completion, Aiken led by fewer than 400 votes. At 11:30 p.m., Aiken took to the stage to thank his supporters and say he was confident that he would be in the race in November. Crisco said earlier in the evening that the race was too close to call and didn’t comment further. The winner will face U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers, a two-term Republican incumbent from Dunn, who handily defeated GOP challenger Frank Roche, a former radio talk-show host and economist who lives in Cary.

State rules require a 40% + one vote finish in order to avoid a runoff.  At this writing, the Associated Press has declined to call the race for Aiken even though 100% of the precincts have reported. A recount may be coming.

TODAY: North Carolina's Primary

Miss Mona Sinclair isn't the only gay man in today's North Carolina primary.  According to the Wall Street Journal, Clay Aiken actually has a shot of winning his bid to be the Democratic nominee for the US House.

Mr. Aiken, 35 years old, faces a crowded field in Tuesday’s election, which pits him against the state’s former commerce secretary, Keith Crisco, and mental health counselor Toni Morris. And even if he wins, Mr. Aiken would face an uphill battle against the incumbent, Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers. Ms. Ellmers is in her second term in a district the Rothenberg Political Report rates as “safe Republican.” Republican Mitt Romney won 57% of the district in 2012. The Idol star has touted a poll conducted by his own campaign that shows him with a 20-point lead over the other two candidates, but no independent polling has verified those results.

Politico paints a less rosy picture.

American Idol contestant Clay Aiken drew plenty of buzz when he announced he’d be running for a North Carolina congressional seat as a Democrat. But he hasn’t gained much traction. Through the middle of last month, Aiken had raised under $300,000, less than half of what his self-funding primary opponent, former state Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco, had taken in. And the singer has found himself on the receiving end of a brutal ad from Crisco that accused the entertainer of skipping meetings for a presidential committee on intellectual disabilities that he’d been appointed to.

North Carolina's polling places close at 7:30PM. I'll post the early returns as they come in tonight.

Harry Connick Jr Dishes Clay Aiken

They love this at Twitchy, of course.

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.

Clay Aiken Announces US House Bid

Pop star and openly gay American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken today formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. House.

Aiken portrays himself as someone who is not a politician. He emphasizes his personal story – growing up in a home torn apart by domestic violence – and says it inspired him to be a voice for the powerless. He began on that path by teaching special education students in Wake County and – after a detour in the entertainment world – working with UNICEF. After months of exploring a Congressional bid, he recently decided to put his entertainment career on hold and run. “I saw this as the best place I could serve, because I think Washington, in general, is dysfunctional,” Aiken said. “I think it’s high time we put people in Congress who were not beholden to their party, and not beholden to anything but the people who they live around and grew up around, in my case.” Aiken, 35, said jobs and the economy will be important campaign themes; specifically, emphasizing education as a way to get people back to work, including through adult job retraining programs.

RELATED: Aiken came out in 2008. He has scored five Billboard top five albums, including his #1 full-length debut, 2003's Measure Of A Man. That album yielded the #1 pop single, This Is The Night.  If elected, he will join the late Sonny Bono as the two members of Congress to have achieved a #1 pop single. Bono's came in 1965 with Cher for I Got You Babe.

Clay Aiken For Congress?

The Washington Blade reports that American Idol contestant and openly gay pop singer Clay Aiken is considering running for the U.S. House. Via Chris Johnson:

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the 35-year-old Raleigh native has taken initial steps for a run, including consulting with political operatives in Washington, D.C., about a bid for the seat. One Democratic source said Aiken made phone calls to gauge support, talked to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and has met with figures in Raleigh, N.C., about a potential bid. Although it’s unclear when Aiken might formally announce a decision, the source said Aiken is “actively considering” it and “sounding and acting like a candidate.” To help explore a run, the source said Aiken has been working with Betsy Conti, a Raleigh-based political strategist who’s worked for former North Carolina Gov. Bev Purdue and Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore in addition to serving as Maryland’s deputy labor secretary in the Glendening administration.

Aiken came out in 2008. He has scored five Billboard top five albums, including his #1 full-length debut, 2003's Measure Of A Man. That album yielded the #1 pop single, This Is The Night.  Two years ago I attended the Family Equality Council's annual gala here in NYC, which was held on the day of the vote on North Carolina's Amendment One. Aiken performed that night and as most of the room anxiously checked their phones for the results of the vote, he spoke passionately and eloquently about the plight of LGBT families in his home state. I came away rather impressed.

Clay Aiken Vs. Tony Perkins

And Tony Perkins sits right there on national television and boldly LIES that churches are being forced to host gay weddings.

SLIDESHOW: Family Equality Council's 30th Anniversary Gala In New York City

Last night intrepid JMG photographer Dr. Jeff accompanied me to the Family Equality Council's 30th anniversary gala on Manhattan's Pier 60, where over 750 LGBT moms, dads and allies swarmed the grand ballroom and mingled with bold-face names like Zach Wahls (so tall!), Tony winner David Hyde Pierce, comedian Judy Gold, Bishop Gene Robinson, Freedom To Marry head Evan Wolfson, and crooner Clay Aiken (who drew a small but enthusiastic contingent of middle-aged Claymates.)

The evening's honorees were FEC board member Scott Davenport, who is the co-founder of P-Town's annual Family Week, and famed Broadway producer Daryl Roth, who brought along the very young cast of her latest show, the multiple Tony-nominated Newsies. Both Aiken and the Newsies cast performed, as well as Tony nominee Montego Glover (Memphis).

All evening long there was a noticeable flurry of smartphone action across the room as attendees anxiously checked for returns on Amendment One. During his set, Aiken addressed that issue and spoke passionately about his love for (and disappointment with) his home state. His words underscored the fact that sitting in the room were the very people who have the most at stake when it comes to legal protections for their families. Dr. Jeff's slideshow is below, full-screen photos are here.

VIDEO: The Family Equality Council rang the closing bell at the Stock Exchange today.

Clay Aiken Denounces NC's Marriage Bill

(Via Towleroad)

NORTH CAROLINA: Lesbian Couple Booted From Raleigh-Area Mall For Kissing

With commentary from Raleigh native Clay Aiken.

The Gayken On The View

Clay Aiken appeared on The View yesterday to talk about why he came out when he did and about being a new dad. This clip concludes with Aiken's performance of Unchained Melody, which is from his new album, Tried & True.

Clay Aiken Speaks At NC HRC Gala

Pam Spaulding recorded the below clip of pop star Clay Aiken's speech at Saturday's HRC gala in North Carolina. Not bad, Clay. Visit Pam's House Blend for full coverage of the event.

The Gayken Got $500K For Gayby Pics

Things can't be that bad if People Magazine paid Clay Aiken $500,000 for exclusive photos of his gayby. Clearly, we've still got our priorities right.

Coming Out Pays Off

Nonshocker Of The Year

UPDATE: From Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director for the Family Equality Council:

"Much like Rosie O'Donnell, the announcement that Clay Aiken is gay reinforces a simple reality: the American public can no longer say it Does not know a gay or lesbian parent. Clay Aiken's desire to raise a child in an open and honest manner will make his life, and his son's, all the
better. We hope he and his son find all the happiness they deserve, and the Family Equality Council will work toward the day that Clay and Parker Foster Aiken can enjoy the same rights as other American families."