'American Idol' Runner-Up Clay Aiken Tweets Bid for Congress

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By Brian Anthony Hernandez2014-02-05 08:50:12 -0800

Clay Aiken, who finished as runner-up on American Idol season two in 2003, announced his candidacy for Congress on Twitter and in a YouTube video on Wednesday.

The nearly 5-minute clip explains why Aiken wants to win the seat in House of Representatives in North Carolina's second district, referencing Idol's coveted "golden ticket" as a metaphor.

"For most Americans, there are no golden tickets, at least not like the kind you see on TV," 35-year-old Aiken said. "More families are struggling today than at any time in our history, and here in North Carolina, we've suffered more than our share of pain."

Aiken had been rumored to run before he confirmed his bid Wednesday. At the 2:35 mark in the video, he throws a few soft-spoken jabs at second-term Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers, who he must unseat to fulfill his political aspirations.

He also launched a revamped ClayAiken.com, where he is now accepting donations.

"I'm running for Congress for the same reason I chose to become a special education teacher years ago — to help people in need and to give them a voice," he wrote on the site. "Will you join me?"

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