Clampitt holds on to reconfigured 119th District
Rep. Mike Clampitt's win is his second in a row, and third overall.
Cory Vaillancourt photo
Republican Rep. Mike Clampitt will return to the Republican majority in Raleigh after defeating Transylvania County Democrat Al Platt in today’s election.
"I am humbled and appreciative that the voters of my district and new county of Transylvania have given me a vote of confidence to continue to serve as their representative in the state legislature," Clampitt said. "The recent meeting we had in Macon County concerning the cooperation of counties to come up with a treatment facility is a major priority for me, along with the new projects we will start and finish in the new General Assembly next year."
In Western North Carolina, legislative redistricting had the most dramatic impact on the 119th House District, removing part of Haywood County and adding all of Transylvania County to the existing counties of Swain and Jackson.
That wasn’t exactly the greatest news for Clampitt, a Swain County native currently serving his second non-consecutive term representing the 119th; voters in Haywood County who knew Clampitt from his five races against Waynesville Democrat Joe Sam Queen — Clampitt won in 2016 and 2020, but lost in 2012, 2014 and 2018 — could no longer vote for him, and he had to make inroads in a whole new county.
That county happens to be where Clampitt’s opponent Platt has lived for decades, which would seem to give him an edge there.
Platt couldn’t capitalize on his home-field advantage, but Clampitt certainly did, beating Platt by 3 points in there and posting solid numbers in the two counties he currently represents.
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With 32 of 33 precincts reporting, Clampitt was up 53.92% to 46.08%.
Mapping website davesredistricting.org had put the 119th District at 54.5% Republican, based on voter performance in previous elections.
Clampitt added that he was greatful for the volunteers who helped him establish a presence in Transylvania County.
"This wasn't anything I did by myself," he said.
