‘American Idol’ Star Clay Aiken Running for Congress!

Since almost winning "American Idol" in 2003, Clay Aiken has enjoyed a successful singing career with bouts on Broadway. Prior to becoming a star, he was a special education teacher. Today he announced his desire to launch a new career: politician. He'd like to represent his North Carolina congressional district as a Democrat.

How good are his chances? Well, in the Democratic primary he will face at least two other challengers with more experience. Then if he's the party nominee, he will request the vote of a populace that voted 58 percent for Mitt Romney in 2012. Technically, voter registration is split evenly between Republicans, Democrats and independents. The area generally votes conservative, however, and Aiken has been outspoken in his support for gay rights.

None of that matters, Aiken said. He's not running as a politician, but as a concerned citizen. He's said Washington, D.C. is dysfunctional and people who can rise above partisan politics and focus on jobs and education are needed. Plus, his resume is bipartisan: former President Bush appointed him to a task force to help Americans with intellectual disabilities.

Would you vote for him?