Politics / Clay Aiken Clay Aiken's Opponent Dies in Fall Keith Crisco was battling Aiken in Congressional race By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff Posted May 12, 2014 3:47 PM CDT Copied Congressional candidate Keith Crisco addresses supporters at Lumina Wine & Beer, Tuesday, May 6, 2014, in Asheboro, NC. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Robert Willett) Keith Crisco, Clay Aiken's opponent in the too-close-to-call race for the Democratic nomination in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, died today. An employee of Crisco's company confirms the news to WTVD. No details are available, though published reports state Crisco died after a fall at his home. At the time of his death, Crisco was trailing the American Idol star by a few hundred votes, and was said to be waiting on final numbers before making a decision regarding asking for a recount. (More Clay Aiken stories.) Report an error