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Clay Aiken is a runner-up once again.
The 35-year-old American Idol alum has been projected to lose to incumbent Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) in his bid for a seat in the House.
See more ‘American Idol’ Finalists: Where Are They Now?
According to the Associated Press, Ellmers is leading Aiken 56 percent to 44 percent on Tuesday evening, giving Ellmers her third term representing North Carolina’s second District. Ellmers had maintained a lead throughout the campaign, according to The Hill.
In what may have been a bad omen for Aiken, his campaign bus broke down while he was leaving a polling place Tuesday morning and had to be towed off the road.
Read more Ruben Studdard Defends Clay Aiken’s Congressional Bid
Aiken, a Democrat and Raleigh, North Carolina, native, was declared the winner of his party’s primary in May, when his opponent, Keith Crisco, died six days after the primary from injuries sustained in an accidental fall. Crisco had been set to concede the day after his death.
This was the first political run for the singer, best known for coming in second to Ruben Studdard on American Idol‘s second season. Had he defeated Ellmers, Aiken would have been the South’s first openly gay representative.
A photo of Aiken’s campaign bus getting towed can be seen below.
MORE on @ClayForNC campaign bus breakdown http://t.co/WP4T8LMdgS pic.twitter.com/4viF65CZY6
— Derek Rowles (@DerekRowles) November 4, 2014
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