Republican state House Rep. Mike Clampitt, who represented Swain, Jackson and Transylvania counties, died Wednesday at age 71.
A Swain County native, Clampitt was first elected to the Statehouse in 2016 and went on to serve four terms representing District 119. During his time in office, Clampitt worked with both Republican and Democrat constituents, advocating for reducing drunk driving and for issues affecting firefighters
“Our dear friend and public servant Representative Mike Clampitt just passed away after a year long battle,” Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-50)said in a Facebook post. “He was one of a kind and he will be missed. He was a fellow legislator, a close friend, as well as an outspoken advocate for Western NC. Rest in peace our friend.”
Clampitt revealed last April that he was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare and serious form of blood and bone marrow cancer, but he continued to serve in a reduced capacity.
The District 119 seat is crucial to advocating for issues in Western North Carolina, according to Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University.
“ I think it's particularly critical given the distance this district is from Raleigh,” Cooper said. “The house member, and then of course the state Sen. Kevin Corbin, are really the lifeline to Raleigh for so many constituents in the west who are never going to spend any time in Raleigh at all and don't know any of the power players at all. They need these representatives to represent them and their interests.”
Clampitt was seeking re-election to a fifth term after winning the Republican primary earlier this month.
Under state law, the governor must appoint Clampitt’s successor, as recommended by the Republican Party, within seven days of receiving the recommendation. That recommendation will be determined after local Republican Party officials in Swain, Jackson and Transylvania counties form a committee. The committee will select someone to fill Clampitt’s seat through the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027.
The committee will also choose who fills Clampitt’s spot on the ballot. That candidate will face Mark Burroughs, the Democratic nominee in the November election.
