‘Idol’ loser bids for Democratic seat
Published: 08 May. 2014, 19:53
Aiken won 40.83 percent of the vote in the 2nd Congressional District primary on Tuesday, putting him just ahead of former North Carolina Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco’s 39.54 percent, according to unofficial results from the state elections board.
Aiken, 35, surpassed the 40 percent of votes needed to avoid a runoff, but North Carolina law allows for a recount when the spread between the top two finishers is 1 percent or less.
Crisco, 71, said the election remained too close to call but did not signal whether he would request a recount.
“This election is still very tight,” he said. “I want the elections officials to have an opportunity to tally the votes and provide a report on their canvass activities to allow all the campaigns a chance to see the final numbers.”
Aiken said he was grateful voters had responded to his call to change the tone of politics.
“As we continue to count the votes, we are more and more excited about our campaign’s ability to move forward and be victorious in November,” he said in a statement.
The entertainer’s first foray into politics brought celebrity buzz and national attention to the Democratic contest, which pitted him against Crisco, an Asheboro businessman, and Fayetteville counselor Toni Morris, 49.
Aiken, who taught special education in North Carolina before his 2003 “Idol” appearance, earned respect from voters by proving knowledgeable about policy issues. He was outspent by Crisco, who ran four television ads compared to Aiken’s one.
The primary vote tally, which included 19.63 percent for Morris, could change as provisional ballots and some additional absentee votes are counted, said state elections board spokesman Josh Lawson.
Reuters
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)