With Rival Dead, Clay Aiken Wins Nomination

The final results from Clay Aiken's incredibly close race for the Democratic nomination in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District are in and it turns out that the former American Idol singer would have won even if opponent Keith Crisco hadn't died on Monday. Aiken received 40.9% to 39.5% for Crisco, who died after a fall at home, WUNC reports.

Crisco's campaign strategist says the 71-year-old, who was behind by a few hundred votes, had planned to concede the race yesterday. Crisco "was a gentleman, a good and honorable man, and an extraordinary public servant," Aiken said in a statement. "I was honored to know him." Aiken now faces a tough race against Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers in a district redrawn by the state's Republican-dominated legislature to make it a GOP stronghold, the Los Angeles Times reports. (More Clay Aiken stories.)