Day after opponent dies, Clay Aiken wins Democratic primary

RALEIGH, N.C.— “American Idol” entertainer Clay Aiken has won what had been a hotly contested Democratic primary for a North Carolina congressional seat.

The county-by-county unofficial tally posted by the state Tuesday of the 2nd Congressional District race confirms Aiken got more than 40 percent needed to win in the three-candidate race. It came a day after his closest rival died suddenly in a home accident.

The results from the May 6 primary will become official after a review by the state elections board. Elections board spokesman Joshua Lawson says that meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 22.

Second-place finisher Keith Crisco died on Monday. His campaign manager, Christine Botta, says Crisco had decided just before he died to concede his loss to Aiken.

ASSOCIATED PRESS