James Michael Clampitt (born February 17, 1955) is an American politician. He was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2016 and 2020. Before his election in 2016, he ran unsuccessfully for office for Swain County Board of Commissioners in both 2006 and 2010, and the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2012 and 2014.[1] A Republican, he serves the 119th district, covering portions of Haywood, Jackson, and Swain counties.[2][3] He was a captain in the Charlotte Fire Department from 1977 to 2004.[4] He is a resident of Bryson City.[1]

Mike Clampitt
Clampitt in 2023
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 119th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2021
Preceded byJoe Sam Queen
In office
January 1, 2017 – January 1, 2019
Preceded byJoe Sam Queen
Succeeded byJoe Sam Queen
Personal details
Born
James Michael Clampitt

(1955-02-17) February 17, 1955 (age 69)
Swain County, North Carolina
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceBryson City, North Carolina
Alma materRowan-Cabarrus Community College
OccupationFirefighter (retired)

Honors

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In 2018, Clampitt received a 90% rating on the NC Values Coalition Legislative Scorecard.[5]

During the 2018 general assembly session, Clampitt was one of the only Republican members of the House of Representatives to cosponsor Democratic Governor Roy Cooper's Budget.[6]

Involvement with the Oath Keepers

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In late September 2021, it was revealed that Clampitt's name was among the some 38,000 people whose names appear on a membership roster of the Oath Keepers; a far-right anti-government militia, following a hack of the group's internal data.[7] Records show that Clampitt has been on the Oath Keepers' roster since at least 2014.[7][8] Clampitt is also a registered member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Vaillancourt, Cory. "Clampitt makes it official". www.smokymountainnews.com. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  2. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  3. ^ "Representative Mike Clampitt - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  4. ^ "Queen-Clampitt: Third time's a charm?".
  5. ^ "NC Values Coalition Legislative Scorecard". Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  6. ^ "House Bill 980 (2017-2018 Session) - North Carolina General Assembly". www2.ncleg.net. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  7. ^ a b Arnsdorf, Isaac. "Oath Keepers in the State House: How a Militia Movement Took Root in the Republican Mainstream". ProPublica. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  8. ^ Knoepp, Lilly (27 October 2021). "Republican Rep. Clampitt says he's been an Oath Keeper since 2014". www.bpr.org. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  9. ^ Knoepp, Lilly (27 October 2021). "Republican Rep. Clampitt says he's been an Oath Keeper since 2014". www.bpr.org. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
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North Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 119th district

2017–2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 119th district

2021–present
Incumbent