Clay Aiken’s opponent in the Democratic primary just died in his home.
A North Carolina textile entrepreneur locked in a too-close-to-call Democratic Party primary with former “American Idol” singer Clay Aiken has died.
The president of the company founded by 71-year-old Keith Crisco says Crisco died at home on Monday after an accident. AEC Narrow Fabrics President Robert Lawson says Crisco’s son notified company employees of the death.
Aiken was ahead by just 400 votes. If he holds on to that lead — I haven’t read anything that states whether Crisco’s death definitively hands the race to Aiken, the American Idol runner-up will face Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers in November. Ellmers rode the Tea Party wave in 2010. It’s uncertain at this point if she has staying power.
serhasacomplaint 
observeratlarge
May 13, 2014 at 11:03 am
I don’t know the law in North Carolina, but I doubt the candidate’s death will hand the race to his opponent; he has to win it fair and square.
There is a famous case in New Jersey, small-town mayors: the Republican mayoral candidate, an incumbent, died after the deadline to place another name on the ballot. His widow campaigned vigorously for people to vote for her husband,and against his opponent. The dead man won.
After the election his opponent went to court to be declared the mayor, because there was no one to serve. The courts ruled the losing Democrat was the only person who couldn’t be mayor, because he actually lost the race, and sent it back to the governing body to fill the seat in the normal fashion that’s followed when there’s an unexpected vacancy.
I expect Aikens will prevail, but it’ll be interesting if he doesn’t.