G. K. Butterfield | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2019 | |
| House Democratic Senior Chief Deputy Whip | |
| In office January 3, 2021 – December 30, 2022 | |
| Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | John Lewis |
| Succeeded by | Jan Schakowsky |
| Chair of theCongressional Black Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Marcia Fudge |
| Succeeded by | Cedric Richmond |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNorth Carolina's1st district | |
| In office July 20, 2004 – December 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Ballance |
| Succeeded by | Don Davis |
| Associate Justice of theNorth Carolina Supreme Court | |
| In office February 5, 2001 – January 1, 2003 | |
| Appointed by | Mike Easley |
| Preceded by | I. Beverly Lake Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Edward Thomas Brady |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Kenneth Butterfield Jr. (1947-04-27)April 27, 1947 (age 78) Wilson, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | North Carolina Central University (BA,JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968–1970 |
| Rank | Specialist |
Butterfield supporting legislation to extend federal recognition to theLumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Recorded November 1, 2021 | |
George Kenneth Butterfield Jr. (born April 27, 1947) is an American lawyer, lobbyist, and retired politician who served as theU.S. representative forNorth Carolina's 1st congressional district from 2004 to 2022. A member of theDemocratic Party, he was first elected in aspecial election after the resignation ofFrank Ballance.
His district was in the state's northeastern corner, which included all or parts of 19 counties. A longtime advocate of civil rights, Butterfield was appointed an associate justice of theNorth Carolina Supreme Court by GovernorMike Easley in 2001, retaining the position until 2003. He was a member of theCongressional Black Caucus and served as its chair from 2015 to 2017.
In November 2021, Butterfield announced that he would not run for re-election in2022.[1] On December 30, 2022, Butterfield resigned from his position to take up a lobbying position.[2]
G. K. Butterfield was born and raised in the thensegregated city ofWilson, North Carolina. Butterfield came from a prominent black family with a long history in North Carolina. Both of Butterfield's parents weremixed-race Americans.[3] His maternal grandfather, Rev Fred Davis, was a child of a former slave (Judah Davis) and a white man (Joe Davis).[4] His mother, Addie, taught elementary school for 48 years in some of North Carolina's poorest communities. She was keenly focused on ensuring that her students learned to read.[5] Butterfield's father, Dr. G. K. Butterfield Sr., was animmigrant from Bermuda.[6] As a graduate ofMeharry Medical College, he practiced dentistry for 50 years in the poor, segregated community of East Wilson. In the late 1940s, he helped found the Wilson Branch of theNAACP in order to register black voters in the county. In 1953, he became the first African American elected to the city council in Wilson and the first black elected official in eastern North Carolina sinceReconstruction.[5]
Butterfield graduated from Charles H. Darden High School inWilson.[5] He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts inpolitical science andsociology fromNorth Carolina Central University (NCCU), ahistorically black university.[7] During his time at NCCU, Butterfield was active in voter registration activism, including coordinating voter registration drives inDurham and organizing a student march from the State Capitol inRaleigh to the Wilson County Courthouse to draw attention to the importance of voter registration. After completing his bachelor's degree, Butterfield attended theNCCU School of Law, receiving aJuris Doctor degree in 1974.[7]
During his junior year at NCCU, Butterfield was drafted into theUnited States Army and stationed atFort Bragg Army installation inFayetteville.[5] He served from 1968 to 1970[8] and was honorably discharged, and he returned to NCCU to complete his undergraduate degree.[5]
In describing his racial identity as a black man, he has pointed to his African heritage, as a direct descendant of enslaved people.[9] He grew up in racially segregated North Carolina, living in "East Wilson", where he attended black schools. He spent his childhood as a firsthand witness to the disenfranchisement of his black community originating as part of a targeted campaign to remove his father from the Board of Aldermen.[4] He is the former chair of theCongressional Black Caucus.[10][11]
After completing law school, Butterfield began a 14-year legal career as a civil rights attorney, practicing across eastern North Carolina. During this time, he developed his reputation, winning several voting-rights cases.[5]
In 1988, Butterfield was elected ResidentSuperior Court judge in judicial district 7BC. Beginning on January 1, 1989, and for the next 12 years, he presided over civil and criminal court in 46 North Carolina counties.[7] In February 2001, GovernorMike Easley appointed him to theNorth Carolina Supreme Court.[7] In2002, Butterfield lost his seat on the Supreme Court, but he returned to the Superior Court bench by special appointment of Governor Easley. He served in that position until his retirement in May 2004 to run for theU.S. House of Representatives.[7]
Butterfield was first elected to the House of Representatives in a special election on July 20, 2004,[12] to fill the seat ofFrank Ballance, who had resigned due to health issues.[13] He assumed office on July 21, 2004.[14]
Butterfield was elected to Congress in a special election on July 20, 2004, to fill the unexpired term of RepresentativeFrank Ballance, who had resigned for health reasons.[15] He defeatedRepublican nominee Greg Dority andLibertarian Party nominee Tom Eisenmenger. Butterfield was sworn into office on July 21, 2004.
On July 20, 2004, Butterfield won the Democratic primary, entitling him to run in the November general election. Running against Dority again, he won his first full term with 64% of the popular vote.[16][17]
Butterfield was unopposed for reelection in 2006.
Butterfield defeated Dean Stephens with 70.28% of the vote.[18]
Butterfield defeated Republican nomineeAshley Woolard with 59.31% of the vote.[19]
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Butterfield defeated Republican Pete DiLauro with 75.32% of the vote.[20]
Butterfield defeated Republican Arthur Rich with 73.38% of the vote.[21]
Butterfield defeated Republican H. Powell Dew Jr. with 68.62% of the vote.[22]
Butterfield defeated Republican Roger W. Allison with 69.85% of the vote.[23]
Butterfield defeated Republican Sandy Smith with 54.18% of the vote.[24]
Butterfield served on theHouse Committee on Energy and Commerce, and formerly served on theHouse Armed Services Committee and theHouse Agriculture Committee. He was the Region VIII representative on theHouse Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
Beginning in 2007, in the110th Congress, Butterfield was chosen to serve as one of eight Chief Deputy Whips for the House Democratic Caucus. Chief Deputy Whips assist in the formulation of Democratic policy and ensure the passage of legislation by maintaining good communication with members. He was appointed to this position bySpeakerNancy Pelosi andMajority WhipJim Clyburn.[7]
As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Butterfield advocated for theAmerican Clean Energy and Security Act.[27] He supports "a market-based approach to capping carbon emissions"[28] and wants to broaden the United States' sources of energy.[29] On his website, Butterfield stresses the need to find more clean and domestic sources of energy.[28]
A strong supporter of civil rights, Butterfield advocated renewal of theVoting Rights Act and "introduced a bill calling for the Capitol Visitor's Center to acknowledge theslave labor used to build the Capitol."[30]
Originally endorsingJohn Edwards for the 2008 Democratic Party presidential nomination,[31] Butterfield endorsedBarack Obama in January 2008.[32]
In 2009, Butterfield introduced the Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act "to assist states in carrying out inspections of lodging facilities, train inspection personnel, contract with a commercial exterminator; educate owners and staff at lodging facilities."[33] He also passed H.R. 4252 "[t]o amend the Small Business Act to change the net worth amount under the small business program for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals from $750,000 to $978,722, and for other purposes."[34]
Butterfield supported theAffordable Care Act, and worked with the Energy and Commerce Committee to help write the legislation.[35] During the discussion of the bill in Congress, he complained about the lack of cooperation from Republicans.[35]
Butterfield supports increasing taxes for higher-income families while decreasing taxes for middle- and low-income families.[35] Although he is an advocate for using government stimulus in order to improve the economy, he wants to reduce government regulations on the private sector.[35]
In 2008,Planned Parenthood gave Butterfield an 80% rating. In 2009, Butterfield supported the interests ofNARAL Pro-Choice America 100% of the time.[35] He identifies as pro-choice on abortion, and especially supports legalized abortion when the life of the woman is in danger or if the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.[35] He called the day that the Supreme CourtoverturnedRoe v. Wade a "sad day".[36]
Butterfield has repeatedly voted against defining marriage as being between one man and one woman, voting against theMarriage Protection Act of 2004 and constitutional marriage amendments in 2004 and 2006. He has voted to ban job discrimination based on sexual orientation, and in 2010 voted for the repeal ofDon't Ask Don't Tell.[37]
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Butterfield voted in 2008 against theTroubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) $700 billion bailout of the financial industry and the $14 billion rescue package for the auto industry.[38]
In 2011, he voted to extend expiring provisions of thePATRIOT Act[39] and in favor of theNational Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012.[40]
In 2012, Butterfield introduced legislation that would require more input from the public before tolls are introduced on roads. The legislation was in response to the "No toll onI-95" group, a Roanoke Rapids-based group that opposes instating a toll on I-95. Opponents of the toll argue that it leads to double taxation, and say it is the first time that "the federal government has put tolls on an existing interstate."[41]
In April 2012, Butterfield accompanied Obama to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to speak about extending the interest rates on federal loan programs for many undergraduate students. Butterfield expressed concern with the pending expiration, saying: "Allowing the current interest rates to expire would burden students with additional debt, prolong their ability to kick start their careers, and send the message that it is more important to cut taxes for the wealthy than educational expenses for our young people."[42]
On July 23, 2014, Butterfield introducedHouse Joint Resolution 120, approving the location of a memorial to commemorate the more than5,000 slaves and free black persons who fought for independence in theAmerican Revolution.[43][44]
As of 2022, Butterfield has voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight.[45]
Butterfield and his former wife, Jean Farmer-Butterfield (1971–1991), are the parents of Valeisha Butterfield Jones and Lenai Butterfield. He is also the father of Tunya Butterfield Smith. His four grandsons are Dahntay Jones Jr., Dillon Jones, Chase Smith, and Gavin Smith. Butterfield is a lifelong member of Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church inWilson, North Carolina, where he has served as Trustee and Chairman of the Finance Ministry.[7] He also serves on the Board of Visitors for theNorth Carolina Central University School of Law and as a Trustee ofGallaudet University.[5] He is a member ofSigma Pi Phi fraternity, Gamma Sigma chapter and a member ofGroove Phi Groove.[46] In 2017, the City ofGreenville named its new transit center, theG.K. Butterfield Transportation Center, in his honor.[47] In 2024, a segment ofInterstate 95 and theWilson train station were also named in his honor.[48][49]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Edward Thomas Brady | 1,159,476 | 53.88% | |
| Democratic | G. K. Butterfield (incumbent) | 992,603 | 46.12% | |
| Total votes | 2,152,079 | 100% | ||
| Republicangain fromDemocratic | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | G. K. Butterfield | 137,667 | 63.98 | |
| Republican | Greg Dority | 77,508 | 36.02 | |
| Total votes | 215,175 | 100 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | G. K. Butterfield (incumbent) | 82,510 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 82,510 | 100 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | G. K. Butterfield (incumbent) | 192,765 | 70.28 | |
| Republican | Dean Stephens | 81,506 | 29.72 | |
| Total votes | 274,271 | 100 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | G. K. Butterfield (incumbent) | 103,294 | 59.31 | |
| Republican | Ashley Woolard | 70,867 | 40.69 | |
| Total votes | 174,161 | 100 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | G. K. Butterfield (incumbent) | 254,644 | 75.32 | |
| Republican | Pete DiLauro | 77,288 | 22.86 | |
| Libertarian | Darryl Holloman | 6,134 | 1.81 | |
| Total votes | 338,066 | 99.9 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | G. K. Butterfield (incumbent) | 154,333 | 73.38 | |
| Republican | Arthur Rich | 55,990 | 26.62 | |
| Total votes | 210,323 | 100 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | G. K. Butterfield (incumbent) | 240,661 | 68.62 | |
| Republican | H. Powell Dew Jr. | 101,567 | 28.96 | |
| Libertarian | Joseph John Summerell | 8,259 | 2.4 | |
| Total votes | 346,830 | 99.98 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | G. K. Butterfield (incumbent) | 190,457 | 69.9 | |
| Republican | Roger Allison | 82,218 | 30.2 | |
| Total votes | 272,675 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | G. K. Butterfield (incumbent) | 188,870 | 54.2 | |
| Republican | Sandy Smith | 159,758 | 45.8 | |
| Total votes | 348,618 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Associate Justice of theNorth Carolina Supreme Court 2001–2003 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNorth Carolina's 1st congressional district 2004–2022 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of theCongressional Black Caucus 2015–2017 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded byas House Democratic Assistant to the Majority Whip | House Democratic Senior Chief Deputy Whip 2021–2022 Served alongside:Jan Schakowsky | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | ||
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byas Former U.S. Representative | Order of precedence of the United States as Former U.S. Representative | Succeeded byas Former U.S. Representative |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
