Clay Aiken Faces Tough Challenge As ‘American Idol’ Alum Runs For Congress; Campaign Video Hits At Renee Ellmers!

Clay Aiken, the "American Idol" alum, announced on Wednesday that he is running for U.S. Congress against Representative Renee Ellmers but he faces a tough challenge he battles it out with the "Tea Party Republican favorite."

Charlotte Observer reported that the Clay Aiken still has to survive going against two Democrats in the primary to be the representative of the conservative state's 2nd district. Renee Ellmers, who unseated seven-term Democrat Bob Etheridge in 2010, is also extremely popular after she was reelected in 2012 by garnering 56% of the votes.

Renee Ellmers also drew first blood when told that Clay Aiken is set on unseating her, as she was quoted as saying: "As we know he doesn't always fare all that well. He was runner up."

But Clay Aiken can also dish as good as he takes as he took jab at his opponent Renee Ellmers in his campaign video.

"Even though she (Ellmers) knew that voting for massive cuts for military is bad for our country and bad for the district she voted for them anyway, 10 times, after her party leaders told her to. And when her party leaders told her to vote for government shutdown, she did. 21 times."

"This is what's wrong with Washington that a congresswoman would go there and vote against the best interests of North Carolina military families and those who depend on the military for their jobs. To do it when you know it's wrong is worse. And to do it because your national party leaders told you to? Well, that's what in the end convinced me that if I didn't try to do something about it then I couldn't complain if no one else did," he added.

In the video, Clay Aikens talked about growing up in a violent household, about his Mom working nights at Sears, wearing clothes from a thrift store and Christmases where he might get a present or not.

"I'm not a politician. I don't ever want to be one."

"But I do want to bring back ... the idea that someone can go to Washington and represent all the people whether they voted for you or not. And maybe we can play a small part in igniting that change," Clay Aiken said.