Statement regarding Representative Clampitt’s passing

Representative Mike Clampitt (Transylvania, Jackson, Swain) passed away today after battling bone marrow cancer.

Despite political disagreements, Mike Clampitt’s lifelong dedication to public service is noteworthy—both as a member of the NC House of Representatives, and as a career firefighter and Chief. His experience in emergency services was especially impactful in the aftermath of Helene, where he bravely spoke out and voted against his party’s initiative to grab power after electoral losses in the third Helene relief bill—citing the bill’s lack of relief. He fought behind the scenes to advocate for important issues, like to maintain the now-unfunded Healthy Opportunities Program (HOP) which nourished dozens upon dozens of Transylvania families facing economic and food insecurity, and to stay evictions for thousands displaced after Helene, not by storm damage, but by a total lack of protections at the state level for workers and tenants forced to pay rent as a regional economy came to a halt.

Please join us in sending love from Transylvania to his family and loved ones.