Clay Aiken reportedly running for congress in North Carolina

Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Clay Aiken, who lost out to Ruben Studdard in the final for American Idol's second season, is hoping for better luck in politics.

The 35-year-old Raleigh native will reportedly run for Congress in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District. Should he win the Democratic primary, Aiken would face Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.).

Democratic operatives told Roll Call that Aiken has already met with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and is forming his campaign team.

A local Democrat told The Hill that party members aren't confident about Aiken's chances in a Republican-leaning district.

"I'm disappointed to see what's probably going to be a primary now in what's already a really tough, conservative seat," one said. "There's a candidate already in the race who has a very solid resume. But I guess we're going to hash it out with a primary now. We're not real thrilled."

Aiken came out in a 2008 People interview. He has a son, Parker, through in vitro fertilization.

[The Hill, Roll Call]