"I have done my very best not to sing," said Aiken, 35.
"Because I think there's a challenge ... to get people to not
see me as a singer but instead as someone who is capable and
wants to fight for them."
The entertainer has gained respect as he seeks the Democratic
nomination in his home state's 2nd congressional district next
Tuesday. In April, the Washington-based Cook Political Report
admitted surprise after Aiken proved to be well-versed on
political affairs, "washing away any notion he's another
superficial, stage-managed Hollywood star dabbling in politics
as a new hobby."
Even so, political experts say the first-time candidate is in an
uphill, perhaps futile, battle to win the primary and then
unseat the incumbent in a district North Carolina's
Republican-led legislature re-drew to favor their party.
U.S. Representative Renee Ellmers, 50, a former nurse, beat a
moderate Democrat for the seat during the Republicans' national
electoral sweep in 2010 and two years later won her second term
with 56 percent of the vote.
In mid-April, her campaign had nearly six times more cash on
hand than Aiken's, finance reports show, and most analysts
predict she will be re-elected in November, barring any serious
gaffes or a better-than-expected turnout for Democrats.
"(Aiken) can do everything right and still basically end up
having no chance because of factors beyond his control," said
Steven Greene, a political science professor at North Carolina
State University in Raleigh.
But Aiken, who lives in Cary and taught special education in
North Carolina before his 2003 "Idol" appearance launched his
singing career, remains unconvinced that the unwieldy U-shaped
district is too conservative for a Democrat to win.
He has spent three months telling retirees in Pinehurst,
military veterans in Fayetteville, and cattle farmers in Siler
City why he is the one best positioned to defeat a congresswoman
who he says has ignored the needs of her constituents.
TACKLING THE ISSUES
Aiken showed strengths beyond the recognition factor this week
at a retirement community in Cary, where he spoke with engaging
ease about immigration, Russia, education and fracking.
"We make people enthusiastic," he said. "If my name is not on
the ballot (after the primary), then I worry people won't pay
attention."
Aiken's claims that the congresswoman has spent too much time in
Washington and ignored voters are "ridiculous," said Ellmers'
campaign spokeswoman, Jessica Wood.
[to top of second column] |
"While Clay Aiken is running around on the Colbert show, the
congresswoman is doing the work of the people in the Second
District," Wood said.
To challenge Ellmers, Aiken must first win the primary. There are no
public polls to suggest how he will fare against his two Democratic
opponents, but he has been far outspent by one of them.
Asheboro businessman Keith Crisco, 71, a former state commerce
secretary, had loaned $530,000 to his $754,497 war chest as of April
16. He has run four television ads; Aiken has run one.
Aiken said he is not interested in buying a seat and his $286,659
fundraising total reported by mid-April showed no personal loans.
His campaign said he has since put $50,000 into the race.
A third candidate, Fayetteville counselor Toni Morris, 49, has not
reported any fundraising.
Crisco said his experience in business and public service offsets
his lack of name recognition compared with Aiken, who also appeared
in "The Celebrity Apprentice" on television and the spoof musical
"Monty Python's Spamalot" on Broadway.
"You've got to be competent on the issues," Crisco said. "Just to
get attention is not enough."
Aiken, who is openly gay, said his personal life has been raised
only once by a voter in the state that two years ago voted to pass a
constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
"LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) issues ... are not
why I'm running and they're not why people are voting," Aiken said
in an interview.
A half dozen people interviewed by Reuters said Aiken had impressed
them at candidate events, earning their vote or at least persuading
them he was worth serious consideration.
"I was pleasantly surprised to hear real depth and commitment," said
Karen Howard, 48, of Chapel Hill. "He brings an energy and passion
that I haven't seen from the other candidates."
(Reporting by Colleen Jenkins; editing by Gunna Dickson)
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