James "Jamie" McClure Clarke (June 12, 1917 – April 13, 1999) was a North Carolina politician and farmer.

"[1] He then served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945.

After his service, Clarke worked as a dairy farmer and orchardist in western North Carolina.

In the 1980s Clarke's congressional campaigns became nationally famous due to his long-running rivalry with Republican Bill Hendon.

In 1984 Hendon gained revenge by defeating Clarke's bid for a second term by just two percentage points.