Keith Crisco, who was locked in a tight primary race with Clay Aiken, died today after a fall. He was 71. In last week’s primary, Aiken led by less than 400 votes and Crisco refused to concede up to his death. The campaign was waiting for absentee ballots to be counted. However, Crisco, who was a former Secretary of Commerce in North Carolina, fell in his home, a company spokesperson said.
After Crisco’s passing was announced, Clay Aiken released a statement and announced he was suspending his campaign to pray for Crisco’s family. Aiken’s website is now just a black page with his statement while Crisco’s website has already shut down.
With Crisco’s death, Aiken will proceed to the general election. He is facing Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers and the first district leans Republican.
TKNN will have complete reactions to Keith Crisco’s death available soon.