Mysterious Outsider Alvin Greene Dies at 48 After Senate Bid

Alvin Greene, the unexpected winner of the 2010 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in South Carolina, has died at the age of 48. Greene's improbable and controversial campaign left a lasting mark on state politics, as the unemployed veteran emerged from obscurity to secure the nomination, only to be soundly defeated in the general election.

Greene's victory in the primary caught many by surprise, as he had no prior political experience and ran a virtually non-existent campaign. With no website, advertisements, or public events, Greene's win was seen by many as a fluke, the result of voters simply selecting the first name on the ballot. His opponent, longtime Congressman Vic Rawlinson, was heavily favored but failed to take the threat seriously.