San Diego, California (The Adobo Chronicles) –  There’s something special about being the runner-up in the reality TV singing competition ‘American Idol.’  With a few exceptions, runners-up seem to generally have better professional success than the winners in their respective seasons – in the recording business, stage, film, religious ministry, and politics.

Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken (who lost to Ruben Studdard) is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for North Carolina’s Second Congressional District seat. His Democratic opponent, Keith Crisco, unexpectedly died today.

Meanwhile, The Adobo Chronicles learned that Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez (she lost to Phillip Phillips) has filed her candidacy for the 51st Congressional District in Chula Vista, California. She has  decided to run as an Independent.

Political observers agree that Sanchez has the cards going in her favor because the district has a large Filipino and Latino population. Sanchez was born to a Filipina mother and Mexican father. The only odds against her is if the Filipinos and Mexicans do not go out and vote.

Both Aiken and Sanchez have an enormous advantage over their opponents. They do not even have to give speeches at their campaign rallies. They just need to belt out a tune or two.

Will the next Congress welcome Congressman Aiken and Congresswoman Sanchez?