Remember Clay Aiken from ‘American Idol’? He’s Running For Congress Again

Ever wondered what happened to Clay Aiken from season two of the reality singing competition American Idol? Well, if you ever have at one point then you’ll probably be shocked to learn that he is now involved in politics.

The second runner-up for the 2003 season of American Idol announced on Monday (Jan. 10) that he will be throwing his hat in the race for Congress in North Carolina. Again. Back in 2014 Aiken ran for North Carolina’s 2nd district, but didn’t succeed in winning that election.

“If the loudest and most hateful voices think they are going to speak for us, just tell them I’m warming up the old vocal chords,” Aiken said in an announcement video posted on Twitter. Subtle shade is detectable in his video—most likely directed at North Carolina Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn and Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, as noted by CNN. 

Running as a Democrat representative for North Carolina’s 6th district, Aiken’s announcement comes shortly after the current Democratic Rep. David Price announced he wasn’t running for reelection in Oct., according to CNN. 

Aiken’s rerun for Congress might prove successful if he can convince voters that he will get everything he proposed in his Monday announcement done.

“Aiken highlighted issues like income equality, access to health care and climate change while promising to focus on infrastructure and inflation if elected,” according to CNN.

Hopefully the American Idol singer successfully is voted in office because his energy may be what’s needed to calm the polarized waters within our democracy.

As noted by CNN, Aiken said, “I also believe we need more civility in our politics, and North Carolina deserves representatives in Washington who use their positions to make people’s lives better, not to advance polarizing positions that embarrass our state and stand in the way of real progress.”

Even if Aiken doesn’t win this go-round, there is always a third time. And the third time is always the charm!