Clay Aiken's opponent dead after fall Monday

ASHEBORO, N.C — According to WGHP, Clay Aiken's opponent for the U.S. House District 2 seat has died.

Keith Crisco died at his home Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for Asheboro Elastics Corp. confirmed.

Reports suggest he suffered injuries from a fall at his Asheboro home, and was dead when emergency services arrived on scene.

Crisco served as secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce before leaving his post in 2012.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections released a statement Tuesday. It read, "The State Board of Elections is saddened to hear of the passing of Keith Crisco. A native of North Carolina, we are grateful for Mr. Crisco's service to our state and his community through the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Crisco family during this difficult time."

Governor Pat McCrory also issued a statement, saying "My heart sank, like so many other people who admired Keith Crisco, when I learned of his sudden passing. While I was a mayor, and now as governor, Keith was a partner, collaborator and strong advocate for the state he loved. Although Keith was a Democrat and a Pfeiffer University graduate, and I went to Catawba and am a Republican, nothing could stop Keith Crisco from building a lasting friendship. North Carolina was blessed and is a better state because of his leadership."

The U.S. House District 2 race was considered too close to call, as Aiken led Crisco by just over a few hundred votes.

WSOC