James Michael Clampitt, an American politician and former firefighter who served in the North Carolina House of Representatives, died on March 18, 2026, at age 71 of cancer.
A Republican, he represented the 119th district, covering portions of Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties, from 2017 to 2019 and again from 2021 until his death. Before winning election in 2016, he ran unsuccessfully for the Swain County Board of Commissioners in 2006 and 2010 and for the state House in 2012 and 2014.
He served as a captain in the Charlotte Fire Department from 1977 to 2004.
James Michael Clampitt (February 17, 1955 – March 18, 2026) was an American politician. He was a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019, and again from 2021 until his death in 2026. 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. A Republican, he represented the 119th district, covering portions of Haywood, Jackson, and Swain counties. He previously served as a captain in the Charlotte Fire Department from 1977 to 2004.