Clay Aiken, candidate for US House of Representatives District 4 in North Carolina

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 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Clay Aiken, candidate for US House of Representatives District 4 in North Carolina."

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan

The News & Observer

919-829-4877

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan is the Capitol Bureau Chief for The News & Observer, leading coverage of the legislative and executive branches in North Carolina with a focus on the governor, General Assembly leadership and state budget. She has received the McClatchy President’s Award, N.C. Open Government Coalition Sunshine Award and several North Carolina Press Association awards, including for politics and investigative reporting.