NCCU alumnus U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield has been appointed senior chief deputy whip of the House Democratic Caucus for the 117th Congress. With this new appointment, Butterfield will replace the late Congressman John Lewis.
Butterfield currently serves as North Carolina’s 1st District Representative. He was elected to serve in the role after a special election in 2004. Prior to his election, Butterfield was selected as North Carolina resident superior court judge where he presided over civil and criminal court for 46 counties of North Carolina. He was later appointed by the governor to serve two years on the North Carolina Supreme Court. He served North Carolina’s judicial system for 15 years.
The Wilson, N.C., native obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from NCCU and also a law degree from the NCCU School of Law. After earning his law degree, Butterfield began his law practice, in which he is best known for advocating voting rights that resulted in the election of black officials throughout eastern North Carolina.
He previously served as chief deputy whip for the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus for 12 years and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Currently, Butterfield is a member of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee. On the Committee, he has been an advocate for access to quality healthcare, rural broadband expansion, protecting consumer privacy, promoting renewable energies and reducing energy rates in low-income communities.
He also serves as a member of the Communications and Technology, and Energy and Health subcommittees. Previously, he was also ranking member of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee.
In addition to his work in Congress, Butterfield is also a member of the Board of Visitors for the North Carolina Central University School of Law and the Board of Trustees for Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
