May 14, 2014
Unbiased Political News
Keith Crisco, 71, a former North Carolina secretary of Commerce, died “after an accidental fall” at his home in Asheboro, NC, according to a statement from his family. His death was totally unexpected and came only 1 week after primary voting had ended.
Aiken led Crisco by 369 votes for the Democratic nod in North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, but the race was too close to call and had not yet been finalized. State elections officials had been counting all the absentee and provisional ballots from last week’s primary, and the 9 counties in the district had until Tuesday to report their official canvass of votes. According to Brad Crone, a political strategist and longtime friend to Crisco, the now deceased politician was preparing plans to concede to Aiken prior to his accidental death.
Upon news of the surprise death, Aiken suspended all campaign activities to pray for Crisco’s family and friends.
“He was a gentleman, a good and honorable man and an extraordinary public servant,” Aiken said in a statement. “I was honored to know him.”
Unbiased Political News
Clay Aiken is now the official Democratic nominee by default and will go on to face GOP Rep. Renee Ellmers in the fall general election.
How tragic! That is horrible. My prayers are with his family and community.