The Republican parties of Jackson, Swain and Transylvania counties, during a joint meeting, selected a replacement for Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain), who passed away March 18 at age 71 following a prolonged battle with cancer.
Clampitt had recently secured his party’s nomination and was preparing to seek another term in the North Carolina House, setting up a rematch with Transylvania County Democrat Mark Burrows in November. Clampitt’s death left both an immediate vacancy in the 119th District and uncertainty heading into the General Election.
First elected in 2016, Clampitt built a reputation as a conservative voice focused on public safety, support for first responders and stricter impaired driving laws. He also became an advocate for Western North Carolina during Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, even as he navigated internal party tensions over related legislation.
Known for his approachable style and willingness to work across party lines on certain issues, Clampitt maintained a visible presence both in Raleigh and back home in his district. His passing prompted tributes from colleagues across the political spectrum, who described him as a committed public servant with deep ties to the communities he represented.
Under state law, the governor must appoint someone to complete the remainder of Clampitt’s term, based on a recommendation from local Republican Party leaders in the district. After an April 11 vote in Sylva, that recommendation was Jackson County’s Anna Ferguson, who bested Molly McKim and Shira Hedgespeth of Jackson County and Transylvania County Commissioner Larry Chapman. Ferguson had finished second to Clampitt in the March 3 Primary.
Ferguson is a Western North Carolina businesswoman and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Raised in the Qualla Community between Whittier and Cherokee, her roots run deep in the region, with family ties stretching back generations to Haywood County before relocating to the Boundary. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina State University before returning home to work in her family’s long-running electrical contracting business, eventually taking on a management role. Her professional experience expanded into entrepreneurship when she and her sister opened a retail store in Cherokee under a family brand and later branched into short-term rental management, giving her firsthand experience navigating payroll, regulation and the challenges of a tourism-driven economy.
Her involvement in public affairs includes service on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ planning board, where she was appointed by Principal Chief Michell Hicks. Ferguson had framed her candidacy around economic opportunity, transparency and respect for tribal sovereignty, particularly on issues like cannabis legalization and the protection of Cherokee’s gaming-driven economy.
Positioning herself as both a business-minded candidate and a voice for tribal and rural communities, Ferguson sought to bring a blend of private-sector experience and local perspective to Raleigh.
Ferguson was subsequently nominated to take Clampitt’s place on the November ballot. Transylvania County Democrat Mark Burrows, who lost to Clampitt in 2024, awaits. Ferguson did not immediately respond to a message from The Smoky Mountain News.