G. K. Butterfield
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| G. K. Butterfield | |
 |
|
|
|
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office July 20, 2004 |
|
| Preceded by | Frank Ballance |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| Born | April 27, 1947 Wilson, North Carolina |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | divorced |
| Religion | Baptist |
George Kenneth Butterfield, Jr. (born April 27, 1947) commonly known as G. K. Butterfield, is an American Democratic Party politician. He currently represents North Carolina's 1st congressional district (map) in the United States House of Representatives. The district is located in the northeastern corner of the state.
Contents |
[edit] Early life and career
Butterfield, an only child, was born in Wilson, North Carolina. His parents were Dr. G. K. Butterfield and Addie Davis Butterfield.
Butterfield's father emigrated to the United States from Bermuda and practiced dentistry in Wilson for fifty years. His mother was a Wilson native and worked as a classroom teacher for 48 years. Butterfield's father was elected to the Wilson City Council in 1953 making him one of the first African American elected officials in North Carolina since Reconstruction. He was defeated in 1957 following a change in election procedure.
Butterfield obtained his higher education at North Carolina Central University, earning an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctor law degree. Butterfield served honorably in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970.
Before his election to Congress, Butterfield was an attorney and an elected judge. He served as a North Carolina Superior Court judge from 1989 to 2001. In 2001, he was appointed to the North Carolina Supreme Court by Governor Mike Easley. In 2002, Butterfield lost his seat on the Supreme Court but returned to the Superior Court bench by special appointment of Governor Mike Easley and served in that position until his retirement in May 2004.
[edit] Political career
Butterfield was elected to Congress in a special election on July 20, 2004 to fill the unexpired term of Representative Frank Ballance, who resigned for health reasons. He defeated Republican candidate Greg Dority and Libertarian Party nominee Tom Eisenmenger. Butterfield was sworn into office on July 21, 2004.
Also on July 20, 2004, Butterfield won the Democratic primary entitling him to run in the November 2004 general election. This virtually assured him of winning a full term in this heavily Democratic district. He again faced Dority and won his first full term with 72% of the popular vote. He was unopposed for reelection in 2006.
Butterfield serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and formerly served on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Agriculture Committee. He is the Region VIII representative on the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee In the 110th Congress, Butterfield serves as one of the nine chief deputy whips on the Democratic side.[1] He is an active member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
[edit] Other
He is a member of Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church, where he formerly served as Trustee and Chairman of the Finance Ministry. Butterfield has 2 adult daughters, Valeisha and Lenai.
[edit] External links
- Representative G. K. Butterfield official U.S. House site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
- Profile at The News & Observer
- Press release on Butterfield's State Supreme Court appointment
- North Carolina Democratic Party
| Preceded by Frank Ballance |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 1st congressional district 2004 – present |
Incumbent |
|
||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
