Clay Aiken for U.S. Congress. Good For The Jews?

This morning, after a month of rumors, Educator, reality television series celebrity, and Raleigh, NC-based musician Clay Aiken officially announced that he is running for U.S. Congress in North Carolina’s 2nd District Democratic Party primary. The seat is currently held by Rep. Renee Ellmers, a member of the GOP.

Aiken’s decision to enter the race has already reshaped the primary. Attorney Houston Barnes, a resident of Durham is expected to drop out of the race and support Aiken. Aiken would most likely face former state commerce secretary Keith Crisco of Asheboro and Toni Morris of Fayetteville, a licensed counselor.

Aiken is most widely known as a runner up on American Idol, a gay parent, and a finalist on Donald Trump’s “Apprentice” series. Aiken is not new to politics. he spoke out against North Carolina’s constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage. His launch video, set to tear-generating music
focuses on his abusive father and his early difficulties in life, his work with autistic children, his appointment by President George W. Bush, and his characterization of the current Congressional Rep. as more focused on her party than her district..

The current Rep., Renee Ellmers, ran as a Tea Party candidate in 2010. She has dismissed Mr. Aiken as unable to win “American Idol” and thus ill-equipped to unseat her. North Carolina’s Second District is overwhelmingly Republican.

But is his candidacy and potential win good for the Jews?

I have no idea.

Aiken, a Democrat, would be more supportive of social programs and progressive policies and laws, as well as equal rights. Aiken stated that he would be more supportive of the of military families and education initiatives than Ellmers. Aiken also played the role of Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Ellmers has been highly supportive of Israel’s current government. She criticized President Obama for rebuking the Netanyahu government. Rep. Ellmers was one of the people on a trip to Israel when a GOP congressman from Kansas, Ken Yoder, decided to swim naked in the Sea of Galilee. The congresswoman said she was there, but she passed on taking a dip in the Kineret.

Let’s see how this plays out

Aiken is advised by Gary Pearce who advised Hunt in his race against Helms, and Hunt in his wining races for NC Governor.