UPDATE: Aiken has suspended campaign activities in light of the sudden death of opponent Crisco.
PREVIOUS: “American Idol” alum Clay Aiken appears to have won the May 6 North Carolina Democratic primary after his opponent, Keith Crisco, suddenly died Monday.
According to local reports, Crisco suffered a fall in his home in Asheboro, NC, and was reported dead at the scene. He was 71 years old.
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The race for North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District had been too close to call since May 6. Aiken had led by only 369 votes at the end of initial tallies.
The counties within the district had been canvassing for official vote counts within the past week, and still needed to count provisional ballots. Results were expected to be released Tuesday.
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Aiken posted a statement on Facebook Monday evening in which he announced a suspension of campaign activities in honor of Crisco “as we pray for his family and friends.”
“I am stunned and deeply saddened by Keith Crisco’s death. Keith came from humble beginnings,” Aiken wrote. “No matter how high he rose – to Harvard, to the White House and to the Governor’s Cabinet – he never forgot where he came from.”
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“He was a gentleman, a good and honorable man and an extraordinary public servant. I was honored to know him,” Aiken added.
Representatives for Crisco,and the North Carolina State Board of Elections did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Read Aiken’s full statement here:
I am stunned and deeply saddened by Keith Crisco’s death. Keith came from humble beginnings. No matter how high he rose – to Harvard, to the White House and to the Governor’s Cabinet – he never forgot where he came from.
He was a gentleman, a good and honorable man and an extraordinary public servant. I was honored to know him.
I am suspending all campaign activities as we pray for his family and friends.