The news just broke that Clay Aiken, former American Idol season 2 runner-up and singer, is now the unopposed Democratic congressional candidate in the 2nd Congressional District in North Carolina… because his opponent in the primary, Keith Crisco, just died suddenly.

The primary was actually last Tuesday, but the race has been too close to call.  Just 369 votes separated the two, with Aiken in the lead.  Now, of course, a recount is unnecessary.

However, the 2nd Congressional District is currently represented by Renee Ellmers, who was elected in 2010 as a part of the Tea Party wave.  She handily won reelection in 2012 (Mitt Romney carried her district with 57% of the vote).  The odds that Aiken can actually defeat her is highly unlikely.  Unfortunately for the residents of the 2nd Congressional District, they now get to deal with the media as this “celebrity stunt candidacy” now has to be taken seriously.  (I’m sure the campaign will be fabulous.)

Keith Crisco, who was 71 years old, died in a fall at his home.  When emergency personnel arrived, he was declared dead at the scene, according to reports.  My condolences to his family and friends at his sudden passing.

There are no reports on Clay Aiken’s whereabouts.

What?  All I’m saying is that we don’t know where Clay Aiken was this afternoon.

If your mind went somewhere else, don’t blame me.