jmh123

cindilu2, hey - long time no see!!

Thanks for all the scoops, ldyj. I love this from his bio: "Additional 2nd place finishes include: The Celebrity Apprentice in 2012 and the NC 2nd District US House race in 2014." 

I'll bet Clay hasn't the slightest idea what's been going on with Musk lately. I hope not.

In general, he doesn't appear to pay much attention to Twitter, period.

Cheri Beasley has won the Democratic primary for Senator by a huge margin. She has the best chance to beat the Republican competition, who will surely be a hard right person. 

ETA, yup, Ted Budd, endorsed by Trump, will be her challenger. Former Governor McCrory, who used to run Duke Energy and brought us coal dust pollution, was considered to be "too liberal."

FWIW, those are all early voting totals. Nonetheless, not too promising.

My niece just sent this - it's from her polling place in Creedmoor, NC. 

15 hours ago, ldyjocelyn said:

Buzzfeed News article that mentions Clay...and that loathsome guy who represents one of the districts in NC.

The Anti–Madison Cawthorn Campaign Is Also Anti-Gay, Some Democrats Fear

Full text in News section.

Good article! Clay comes off very well, leading the way with an opinion that a lot of people who follow also express, and, nice photo! First line: "Clay Aiken is pissed off."

Good written coverage of the press conference, the issues, interviews, etc.

https://www.wral.com/pricey-triangle-race-spawns-outcry-lost-endorsements-over-outside-spending/20277116/

Love the photo--since it's Clay's show, the coverage is centered around him. 

3 hours ago, Mik4clay said:

Does anyone know what happened with Ashley Ward?

She was definitely there. I saw a little bit of her speaking in one of the first videos posted.

8 hours ago, ldyjocelyn said:

I think all three are the same article, just posted at three different news sites

Yup, they are more or less the same paper -- same publisher. There might be local differences. They are all paywalled, so I've never checked for details, but anytime I see something posted at one of the others, I can be sure it's at the N&O as well.

WRAL's perspective on the issue of campaign money, also with interviews with the candidates. Wish the local media hadn't brought this up so late.

https://www.wral.com/singer-state-senator-activist-highlight-congressional-race-in-durham-chapel-hill/20268712

Quote

Aiken has never won elected office but is the only candidate who has won a congressional primary. In 2014, he scored a narrow victory against businessman Keith Crisco before going on to lose to U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers in the general election.

Now Aiken, who’s supported by a large LGBTQ-rights group called Equality PAC, says he launched his campaign in an attempt to o counter “hateful” rhetoric with an equally loud but more welcoming tone. Aiken says his fame helped him bring resources to groups that serve children with special needs. He now wants to use it to secure funding for things like affordable housing, transportation and education. He cited his relationship with conservative pundit Meghan McCain as an example of how he can build bridges to potentially bring more resources back to the district.

“I don't dislike [Republicans]. I disagree with them,” Aiken said, adding that he and McCain “don't agree on much. But we understand that in order to get anything done, you have to find opportunities to look at ways that you can work together.”

There's a long, long article in the N&O today about the PAC money being spent on Val's campaign. A few mentions of Clay, but the over-all theme is even more important. 

Quote

If all eight pooled every dollar their campaigns have reported raising so far, they still wouldn’t have as much money as what those two outside groups have spent on pro-Foushee TV ads and mailers, an analysis by The News & Observer shows.

Quote

In all, between the donor bundling and the super PAC spending, AIPAC has spent nearly $2 million on Foushee. The other super PAC active in the race, Protect Our Future, has spent nearly $1 million more backing her.

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article260975442.html

Since the N&O strips the formatting and the photos when I try to copy to paste here, and has a paywall, I tried converting this one to a pdf and uploading it here. Let's see what happens. ETA: looks like it wants to download the pdf onto your computer.

Democratic primary in NC_ millions in Super PAC money _ Raleigh News & Observer.pdf

Another quote from the article:

Quote

In the NC-04 primary, records from the Federal Communications Commission reviewed by The N&O show just how much the outside groups have been able to dominate the airwaves in recent weeks. On WRAL, the local NBC affilliate, FCC records show the two pro-Foushee super PACs have spent nearly $1 million buying ads on just that one channel. By contrast, Foushee’s campaign itself has paid for just $8,800 worth of ads on the channel, Aiken’s campaign has spent $19,775 and Allam has spent $33,525. Similar patterns show up in the reports for other local channels like WTVD, WNCN and WRAZ.

Guest column on Chapelboro.com: 

Quote

Generally, political observers consider three contenders to be viable. Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam is running on a potently left-wing platform, emphasizing endorsements from leftist icons like Sen. Elizabeth Warren. From Orange County comes state Senator Val Foushee, a liberal with extensive establishment ties. And former American Idol and Celebrity Apprentice star Clay Aiken seems determined to make things interesting.

All three of the race’s frontrunners reflect the district’s proclivities in some way or another. Allam is very left-wing, as are large numbers of district voters in places like Carrboro and Durham. Foushee’s liberal credentials are beyond question, and she would be the first Black person to represent a district that prides itself on its civil-rights history. Aiken would be the first gay congressperson from the South. Thus, the race is hard to handicap. Any of the three frontrunners could emerge from the primary as David Price’s heir apparent.

It's an interesting historical perspective on the district, in addition to the quoted comments. Full article is here: https://chapelboro.com/town-square/viewpoints-thoughts-on-the-fourth-district.

Another good candidate questionnaire, this from the N&O:

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/voter-guide/article260570777.html

Quote

READ MORE Candidates for US House of Representatives District 4 in North Carolina In North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District, Rep. David Price is not running for another term in 2022. Those running to replace him include Democrats Crystal Cavalier, Valerie Foushee, Matt Grooms, Stephen Valentine, Ashley Ward, Richard Watkins, Clay Aiken and Nida Allam and Republicans Courtney Geels and Robert Thomas. Get to know the candidates with our 2022 Voter Guide.

Name: Clay Aiken

Political party: Democratic

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 43

Campaign website: www.clayaiken.com

Occupation: Entertainer and children’s advocate.

Education: B.A. in special education from UNC-Charlotte.

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): I was the Democratic nominee for Congress in NC-02 in 2014.

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I founded and chair the National Inclusion Project, a nationwide leader in training youth organizations to make their programs inclusive for children with disabilities. It provides resources and accreditation for recreational programs in over 35 states, and major programs here in the Triangle.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR LIMITING THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION? One of the most tangible effects of inflation in our area is the skyrocketing cost of housing. We should increase the Capital Magnet Fund to leverage federal money to boost availability of affordable housing, and target it to areas like the Triangle where folks are being priced out of their homes.

WHAT IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN CONTROLLING OR ENDING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? If there’s ever been a clear argument for why the government should acknowledge health care is a basic human right, it’s been the COVID crisis. The most important step to address it and future public health challenges is to offer a public option and work towards a Medicare-for-all health care system.

WHAT IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN COMBATING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE? The federal government must take an active role in combating the effects of climate change by investing in research and development for carbon neutral technologies, incentives to aid in their adoption, and forming robust climate goals and plans to reach them both domestically and within the international community.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR REDUCING VIOLENT CRIME? I support the president’s recent budget proposal that increases funding for law enforcement. Public safety must have the resources it needs to keep citizens safe. We also must invest in social services to create healthy, vibrant communities to prevent crime from occurring in the first place.

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED? Congress should not be reactionary and wait for this to occur. It should immediately codify the tenets of Planned Parenthood vs. Casey into law and protect this fundamental constitutional right.

IS THERE AN AREA WHERE YOU DISAGREE WITH YOUR PARTY? WHY? I believe we’ve seen a shift — becoming more focused on “hashtags” and symbolic victories than substance. As a special ed teacher and as chair of an organization to support children with special needs, I’ve always been results-driven, and prefer progress over posturing.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP ISSUES? PICK UP TO THREE. ▪ Education ▪ Voting and elections ▪ Housing

This story was originally published April 24, 2022 6:00 AM.

 

Says it was published April 24, but it's new to me. It's behind a paywall so I copied the whole thing and re-added paragraphing. They use a nice photo--the one in the green sweater.

Clay is pictured, mentioned, quoted in this article about Judge Evans:

https://indyweek.com/news/durham/pat-evans-forthcoming-judgement-election/

Quote

Evans is campaigning with a group of candidates who have come together as “Better Bull City.” The other candidates include Jonathan Wilson, who is challenging Satana Deberry for district attorney; Jessica Major, who is vying for a district court seat held by incumbent Dave Hall; school board candidates Jasper Fleming and Donald Hughes; and Clay Aiken, the openly gay 2003 American Idol runner-up who is running for the US House seat in District 4.

In a statement to the INDY this week, Aiken said that he’s a Christian and is disappointed that “anyone would assume someone to be anti-LGBT based on their Christian faith.”

“The God I worship loves all people, and in every encounter I have had with Pat Evans through the years, I’ve experienced only the same type of love and acceptance from her,” Aiken said.

Aiken added that Evans was the very first elected official in Durham to call and congratulate him when he entered the US House District 4 race.

“I’ve seen her be a champion, a supporter, and a friend to me and to many LGBT people, including her own openly gay son,” Aiken said. “She’s shared wisdom from her decades of public service with me and other aspiring LGBT leaders, like Donald Hughes. I have never once felt anything but loved and respected by Judge Evans.”

This comes close to being a hit piece, but it does present positive things about her. I don't know anything about the judge, so this is not an endorsement, but I was surprised in a good way that she was behind the April gun buyback in Durham. I've been thinking for a long time someone needs to do that. It needs to happen some more. There are way too many guns in Durham, and a shooting just about every day.

Apparently they have not, Mik4clay. I would love to know as well. Clay mentioned somewhere that they were doing some internal polling, but he never said how that turned out. Maybe that's why the focus on Durham for the last few weeks. The N&O article seemed to think Durham was a focus as well. There's a bunch of places besides Durham in that district, but maybe that's where there's the greatest concentration of voters? I think of Orange County is equally large, but it probably isn't.

I'm glad you read the whole thing. I thought it was really thorough and informative. Bottom line, though, is that everyone in the article is just giving their opinion. I admit to being discouraged that the N&O didn't come down harder on Val for her unsavory PAC money. Which reminds me, I don't watch TV often but I guess I'll have to start if I want to see the ads. I hope somehow they can get the word out about Val without turning people off. Tricky tricky.

Another long one, this from the N&O. Clay is mentioned throughout, and gets pride of place as first to be discussed, but the article is not hugely encouraging about his chances, in Durham anyway.

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article260319695.html

I tried to copy it over, but it was just one long paragraph.

Val Foushee is definitely a person of integrity but it was politically naive of her to accept this much money from them. Clay's name has risen to the top, symbolically speaking anyway, after this news.

https://thehill.com/news/campaign/3271514-progressives-rescinding-endorsement-of-nc-congressional-candidate-over-aipac-donations/

Quote

In a statement on Sunday, the caucus said it will no longer support North Carolina state Sen. Valerie Foushee in her bid for the House because she accepted donations from AIPAC, which has endorsed Republican candidates who objected to the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

Quote

The Progressive Caucus said AIPAC “made significant donations” to Foushee’s campaign, with the funds making up more than half of the campaign’s entire quarterly fundraising.

Quote

Former “American Idol” star Clay Aiken and Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam — the first Muslim-American woman ever elected to public office in the Tar Heel State — are also running for the Democratic nomination.

3 hours ago, jmh123 said:

The place where Clay is singing, the Blue Note, is an old and highly respected Durham institution. To see him get respect there gives me a thrill on top of That Voice.

OK, speaking of dealing with stuff, I googled the history, and this Blue Note isn't all that old. And I can't remember now what city an old club called Blue Note was in that I drove by from time to time. 

The place where Clay is singing, the Blue Note, is a n old and highly respected Durham institution. To see him get respect there gives me a thrill on top of That Voice.

Local article on Clay's race: Race for David Price's Congressional Seat Draws a Crowded Field

Quote

“It’s funny to me that I’m still stuck in so many people’s minds sometimes as the 24-year-old from ‘Idol,’” chuckled Clay Aiken.“The more important thing to me that came out of ‘Idol’ was the ability it gave me to talk about issues that were important to me and bring attention to those.” 

Aiken, now 43, may have gained prominence as an “American Idol” fan favorite. But before “Idol,” he worked at the YMCA, where he became interested in children with special needs. These days, Aiken says his life centers on his organization for children with special needs, the National Inclusion Project. The program works with organizations to include children with disabilities in recreational programs, like camps.  

Now, Aiken wants to use his platform for politics.

“I was waiting and expecting someone who would jump in who would have some sort of powerful statewide voice or the proven ability to bring attention to issues, because I don’t think people in this district really realize how much David Price has done over the past 35 years,” Aiken said. 

The source of Aiken’s name recognition differs from that of former U.S. Rep David Price, but he believes he can bring the same benefits to district residents. If elected to represent North Carolina’s 4th District in Congress, Aiken would ensure the district maintains access to infrastructure funds and housing funds, especially as housing prices skyrocket.

He would also reform education funding. Title I, which supports underfunded schools, has “incentivized school districts to create high poverty schools” in order to get more money, he said. 

This is not Aiken’s first run for Congress. He said his commitment to fairer election maps prompted him to run in 2014 against Rep. Rennee Ellmers (R) in North Carolina’s 2nd District. Aiken views the issue of voting rights as urgent, and would vote for both the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the more sweeping H.R.1, which would reform voting rights and election administration. 

“We need to accept as much progress as we can make in this area right now, because we can’t really wait anymore,” Aiken said.

Aiken laments how Democrats waited to act on other pressing issues such as climate change, gun violence and police brutality.

“I think Democrats have a tendency, over the past four years, to be a bit superficial when it comes to making progress,” he said. “I’m all for symbolic victories, but symbolic victories don’t do much to save anyone’s lives and protect people.”

There are comments of about this length from each of the candidates, with a short blurb in the main article followed by a link.  

In case anyone else is wondering, I found this about primaries with multiple candidates: 

Quote

A runoff (they call it a second primary) is not required if a candidate gets a "substantial" plurality–which is defined as 30% of the vote plus one. A runoff is not required in any case unless the second-highest vote-getter calls for a runoff. Runoff elections are normally held seven weeks after the primary.

Brace yourselves folks, there's a few people in that long list who will be tough competition. I think everyone on the boards already knows about Nida Allam. Another is Valerie Foushee. She's been a senator or congressperson at the state level for ten years. (And represented me in both capacities at times -- depending on what the maps looked like at any given moment). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Foushee. I'm not familiar with any of the other names, but that doesn't mean much. Charles Graham decided last minute to run in his home district, the 7th, which is fortunate for Clay. He's a member and elder of of the Lumbee tribe, was also a special ed teacher, has been running for close to a year already, and has a strong campaign. I'd really like to see him win his seat. 

Not that I get to vote for him, or Clay. In my district there's only one Dem candidate, someone I have not heard of before. 4 Republican candidates.

Oh Fear, I hate Virginia Fox with a purple passion. The redistricting is doing me no favors personally either. The incumbent in my district is someone (a Republican) I never heard of (although that might be a good thing). Will have to look him up. I don't even know who is running against him.

ETA: I take that back. According to the N&O there is no incumbent in my district. Interestingly, it's closer geographically to where Clay ran before. Also interesting, the district encompassing the city of Charlotte also has no incumbent.  

Someone on CV was asking what district Clay lives in. He grew up in what is now the 2nd, but he could live in the 3rd - I don't know where he lives.

Small potatoes in a big world.  (((Ukraine)))