Biography, Congressman G. K. Butterfield, First District of North Carolina
G. K. Butterfield is a life-long resident of eastern North Carolina. His father was a well respected dentist and civic leader in Wilson for many years and was the first black elected official elected in eastern North Carolina in the 20th century. His mother was a classroom teacher for 48 years. Having graduated from the Charles H. Darden High School, Mr. Butterfield attended and graduated from North Carolina Central University. His undergraduate studies were in Political Science and Sociology and he holds a Juris Doctor degree from the NCCU School of Law.
After graduating from law school in 1974, Mr. Butterfield practiced law in his home community of Wilson with Milton F. “Toby” Fitch, Jr. and at various times with Quentin Sumner and James Wynn. All of his former law partners are now judges. Mr. Butterfield's law practice was devoted to representing poor people with extraordinary legal problems. He was considered the “People's Lawyer” in his hometown – a title that earned him great respect and admiration in the community. He is best known for successfully handling several Voting Rights lawsuits in eastern North Carolina counties resulting in the Court-ordered implementation of district elections for local officials.
In 1988, Mr. Butterfield was elected as Resident Superior Court judge in the first judicial division. For the next twelve years, he presided over civil and criminal court in 46 counties of North Carolina. His knowledge of the law and common sense approach to judicial decision-making earned him the reputation as a firm but fair judge.
In February of 2001, North Carolina Governor Mike Easley appointed Mr. Butterfield to the seven-member North Carolina Supreme Court. Justice Butterfield served on the Supreme Court until December 31, 2002 when he returned to the Superior Court Bench after being defeated in the November, 2002 General Election. His candidacy attracted the endorsement of most of North Carolina's newspapers as well as endorsements from nearly every major legal organization in North Carolina.
Mr. Butterfield retired from the Judiciary in April of 2004 and was selected by the Democratic Party as the party's nominee in the July 20th Special Election for the United States House of Representatives. His resounding victory in that election entitled him to serve in Congress from July 21, 2004 until January 3, 2005. In the November General Election, Mr. Butterfield defeated the Republican candidate entitling him to serve a full two-year term beginning on January 3, 2005. Congressman Butterfield has no opponent in the 2006 election.
Congressman Butterfield serves on the powerful House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Agriculture. In addition, he was elected by the 21 Democratic Members of Congress from the southern states to be their representative on the Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. This committee is responsible for the Committee assignments and the development of policy for the Democratic Caucus.
Congressman Butterfield is 59 years old. He is divorced with adult daughters, Valeisha and Lenai. He is a member of Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church in Wilson where he previously served as Chairman of the Finance Committee. In 1968, Butterfield was drafted into the United States Army and served as a Personnel Specialist until 1970 when he received an honorable discharge.
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