G. K. Butterfield
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.
Early life and education
Despite his appearance, he is a black man and goes out of his way to inform people that he is not white. Butterfield grew up in a prominent black family in Wilson, North Carolina.
Both of his parents had white ancestors. 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 the first black officials elected in eastern North Carolina in the 20th century. He was defeated in 1957 following a change in election procedure.
Butterfield graduated Charles H. Darden High School, and later, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) with degrees in Political Science and Sociology. In 1974, he received a Juris Doctor degree from the NCCU School of Law launching his legal career. Butterfield served honorably in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970.
Political career
In 1988, Congressman 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. In February 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.
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.
On July 20, 2004, Butterfield won the Democratic primary entitling him to run in the November 2004 general election. He again faced Dority and won his first full term with 72% of the popular vote. He was unopposed for reelection in 2006, and beat Dean Stephens in the 2008 general election, 69.9% to 30.1%.
Originally endorsing John Edwards for the presidential primary, in January 2008, Butterfield endorsed Barack Obama for the general election.
Service in the U.S. House of Representatives
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.
Beginning in the 110th Congress, Congressman Butterfield was appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Whip, Congressman Jim Clyburn, to serve as one of eight Chief Deputy Whips responsible for helping to formulate Democratic policy and insuring the passage of legislation by maintaining good communication with members..
He is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Other
He is a member of Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina, where he formerly served as Trustee and Chairman of the Finance Ministry. Butterfield has 2 adult daughters, Valeisha and Lenai.
.