Singer CLAY AIKEN has been left “deeply saddened” by the sudden death of his main opponent in his bid to join the U.S. congress.
The American Idol runner-up held a slight lead over 71-year-old businessman Keith Crisco in last week’s (ends09May14) Democratic Party primary for a U.S. House seat in his native North Carolina, but on Monday (12May14), it was announced that Crisco had been found dead at his home in Asheboro after reportedly sustaining injuries in a fall.
Aiken took to Twitter.com on Monday afternoon (12May14) to offer his condolences. He wrote, “I am stunned and deeply saddened by Keith Crisco’s death. He was a gentleman, a good and honorable man and an extraordinary public servant. I am suspending all campaign activities as we pray for his family and friends.”
Final election results won’t be released until later this week (ends18May14), but the singer was reportedly just 369 points ahead of Crisco. A spokesman for North Carolina’s Board of Elections tells ABC News that if the results of the primary favour Crisco as the winner, then the district executive committee of the Democratic Party will choose the nominee.