G. K. Butterfield

Infobox_Congressman
name = G. K. Butterfield


date of birth = birth date and age|1947|04|27
place of birth = Wilson, North Carolina
alma_mater= North Carolina Central University
occupation= attorney, judge
residence= Wilson, North Carolina
state = North Carolina
district = 1st
term_start = July 20, 2004
preceded = Frank Ballance
succeeded = Incumbent
party = Democrat
religion = Baptist
spouse = divorced
children = Valeisha Butterfield
Lenai Butterfield
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=1968-1970

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 ( [http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/nc01_109.gifmap] ) in the United States House of Representatives. The district is located in the northeastern corner of the state.

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.

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, but is being challenged by Dean Stephens in the 2008 general election. [ [http://www.wilsondaily.com/News/Local/Story/Man-runs-against-G-K--Butterfield-- Man Runs Against G.K. Butterfield] ]

Though orignally endorsing John Edwards for the presidential primary, in January 2008, Butterfield announced he would endorse Barack Obama. [ [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/butterfield_now_endorses_obama Butterfield now endorses Obama] ]

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. [http://www.reflector.com/local/content/news/stories/2006/12/10/butterfield.html] He is an active member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.house.gov/butterfield Representative G. K. Butterfield] official U.S. House site
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=G.K._Butterfield Profile] at SourceWatch Congresspedia
* [http://projects.newsobserver.com/dome/profiles/g_k_butterfield Profile] at The News & Observer
* [http://www.ncgov.com/xml/GOV_020501.asp Press release on Butterfield's State Supreme Court appointment]
* [http://www.ncdp.org/officials North Carolina Democratic Party]