Republican Karl Gillespie will represent the North Carolina U.S. House 120th district starting Jan. 1. | Photo Courtesy of Karl Gillespie Facebook
Republican Karl Gillespie will represent the North Carolina U.S. House 120th district starting Jan. 1. | Photo Courtesy of Karl Gillespie Facebook
Republican Karl Gillespie, a fifth-generation Maconian, defeated Democrat Susan Landis for the House District 120 seat.
Gillespie rolled to an easy win, defeating Landis 70.69% to 29.31%. He will replace Rep. Kevin Corbin (R-Cherokee), who was elected to the District 50 Senate seat this cycle.
Gillespie is the third Macon County commissioner in the last decade to represent the citizens of North Carolina's westernmost counties — Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Macon — following Kevin Corbin and Jim Davis. He is also the president of the National Communications, Inc. (NCI), a past board of trustee member at the Southwestern Community College, a liaison to various boards, a member of the local Farm Bureau Board and the First United Methodist Church, according to his campaign website.
Gillespie said he plans to work on several issues in the Legislature, including the preservation of natural resources, agriculture, affordable health care, financial accountability and transparency, the lack of affordable broadband, education, sustainable employment opportunities and economic development, according to his campaign website.
He lives on their family farm with his wife, Janet and son, Logan.
Gillespie will assume office on Jan. 1.
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