Clay Aiken’s Opponent in Congressional Race Mysteriously Dies from "Some Type of Fall"

In case you don’t follow the political races of the state of North Carolina, you may be surprised to learn that one-time American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken has been running for Congress down there. You may also be surprised to hear that he’s doing very well. He has been locked in a too-close-to-call race for the Democratic primary for the Second Congressional District seat, leading a 71-year-old man named Keith Crisco by just 369 votes. And you may thirdly be surprised to hear that Crisco mysteriously died today.

A source close to Crisco said that he died from “some type of fall” but no other information was immediately available. ABC News reports: “The Asheboro, North Carolina, police department said Crisco was dead by the time emergency responders arrived. They would not immediately give any other details, including a cause of death.” Aiken tweeted his condolences earlier this evening and announced that he is suspending campaign activities for the time being:

I am stunned and deeply saddened by Keith Crisco’s death. He was a gentleman, a good and honorable man and an extraordinary public servant.

— Clay Aiken (@ClayForNC) May 12, 2014

I am suspending all campaign activities as we pray for his family and friends.

— Clay Aiken (@ClayForNC) May 12, 2014

And in case you’re wondering, this does not automatically make Aiken the nominee. If Crisco does end up receiving more votes when all are counted, then the executive committee of the Democratic Party would select the nominee.

Now, listen. This is a strange incident and the information is still coming in. We certainly don't want to jump to conclusions here, but we're just going to go ahead and say what we're all thinking… Clay Aiken would make a fine Congressman and we wish him luck.