Lilly Knoepp
NC LOCAL
Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain), who served in the state House for four terms, died on March 18.
According to state law, if there is a vacancy in the General Assembly the representative’s party will make a recommendation, depending on how many counties are in the district.
Because NC-119 is made up of three counties – Swain, Transylvania and Jackson – the recommendation will come from a weighted vote of the GOP Executive Committees from each county comprising the district. There is no legally required amount of time in which the committees have to act.
Once the recommendations are received, the Governor has seven days by law to appoint the representative based on this recommendation.
Currently the legislature is out of session but the short session starts April 21.
What does this mean for the General Election?
Clampitt won his primary despite two challengers, Anna Ferguson and Mike Yow, and his health concerns.
According to state law, if a candidate “dies, resigns, or for any reason becomes ineligible or disqualified before the date of the ensuing general election,” the appropriate district executive committee of the political Party shall appoint another candidate to fill the vacancy.
So far, there has been no indication who Republicans will choose for the ballot. The vacancy can only be filled if the executive committee certifies the name of the nominee at least 75 days before the general election, which in this case would be Aug. 11.
Clampitt remembered fondly by colleagues
Sen. Kevin Corbin (R- Macon) started in the legislature with Clampitt when they were both new to the office in 2016.
“It’s been really nice to have some legislators out west with the senator and the house members having some seniority. Mike and I worked together on a lot of projects for Western North Carolina and were able to bring a lot of funding,” Corbin told NC Local.
“He was never shy to stand up for his end of the state. It was a real pleasure working with him through the years.”
Two of Clampitt’s terms were served in the current configuration of NC-119 representing Swain, Transylvania and Jackson counties. The district was redrawn in 2022 when he served two terms representing Swain, Jackson and Haywood counties. This configuration made one of the state’s longest running match-ups between Clampitt and Haywood County Democrat Joe Sam Queen.
Clampitt has been aligned with Corbin, NC-120 Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Macon) and NC-119 Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood County) as they were all elected around the same time. The group has worked together on projects including a 2024 vote against a Helene recovery bill that “fell short” but ultimately passed. Pless, who has served three terms in the House, lost his bid for re-election in March. Both Gillespie and Corbin are up for re-election in November.
Clampitt shared his rare cancer diagnosis in April but continued to fulfill his legislative duties including attending the groundbreaking for the expansion of the Mariana Black Library in Bryson City in September. Corbin and Clampitt say they worked together to bring the $3.2 million grant for the project to Swain County.
Clampitt told the Smoky Mountain News in February that he had only missed five sessions during his illness. “Indeed, Clampitt conducted his campaign interview from a hospital bed,” the article states.
“He faced cancer with the same courage that defined his life, carrying himself with strength and grounding himself in his unwavering faith in God every step of the way,” House Speaker Destin Hall shared in a statement on Wednesday.
The NC Republican Party shared a tribute to Clampitt on Wednesday calling him “a fire captain who loved serving his fellow North Carolinians.”
“We are saddened by the passing of Rep. Mike Clampitt. He was a friend, patriot, and public servant. We are grateful for his dedication and service to our State and our prayers are with his family,” said NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons in a press release.
Local officials from both sides of the aisle have taken to social media to mourn Clampitt’s passing.
“Not once did I ever question if Mike Clampitt had our backs in Canton and WNC. Thank you for your service and most importantly your friendship all these years…” Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers posted on Facebook.
Clampitt’s funeral has been scheduled for April 4 at the Bardo Center on the campus of Western Carolina University.