This is CRAZY. Clay Aiken’s Democratic congressional opponent, Keith Crisco DIED suddenly today, according to news source who have confirmed:
Singer Clay Aiken’s chief rival for the Democratic nomination for Congress died unexpectedly on Monday.
Keith Crisco, 71, a former North Carolina secretary of Commerce, died from a fall at his home, reported The Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C. A woman who answered the telephone at Asheboro Elastics Corp., which Crisco founded, confirmed the news to USA TODAY and said the company’s workers were in shock.
In last Tuesdays Democratic primary election, the former American Idol alum had beat Crisco by only 369 votes. The winner was too close to call. State elections officials have been counting all the ballots from last week’s primary. The counties in the district had until tomorrow (May 13) to report their official votes.
I am not sure what happens now. Does the election automatically default to Clay? There was another opponent, Toni Morris, who came in 3rd. Would there be a special runoff between the two candidates if it’s declared that Crisco did indeed win the election? Is there a precedent for this sort of thing?
Via USA Today
UPDATE: A message from Clay posted on his website, which is completely blackened except for the message:
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.
Gov. Pat McCrory also released a statement on Crisco’s passing.
“My heart sank, like so many other people who admired Keith Crisco, when I learned of his sudden passing,” said Governor McCrory. “While I was a mayor, and now as governor, Keith was a partner, collaborator and strong advocate for the state he loved. Although Keith was a Democrat and a Pfeiffer University graduate, and I went to Catawba and am a Republican, nothing could stop Keith Crisco from building a lasting friendship. North Carolina was blessed and is a better state because of his leadership.”
