G.K. Butterfield
| G. K. Butterfield | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 1st district |
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Assumed office July 20, 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Frank Ballance |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
George Kenneth Butterfield, Jr. April 27, 1947 Wilson, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | North Carolina Central University (BA, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
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| Years of service | 1968–1970 |
| Rank |
 Specialist
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George Kenneth "G. K." Butterfield, Jr. (born April 27, 1947) is a United States Congressman elected in 2004. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district is located in the northeastern corner of North Carolina, stretching from Durham to Elizabeth City and including all or parts of 24 counties. An African American and a longtime advocate on behalf of civil rights, Butterfield is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and served as its chair from 2015 to 2017.
Butterfield was born and raised in Wilson, North Carolina in a prominent African-American family. He is the son of Addie Lourine (née Davis) and George Kenneth Butterfield, both of whom were mixed race Americans. His father was an immigrant from Bermuda.
Described by the Washington Post as an "African-American who appears to be white", Butterfield has European as well as African ancestry. In describing his racial identity as a black man, he has pointed to his African heritage, while also noting that he grew up on the "black side" of town in racially segregated North Carolina, and led civil rights marches. He is the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Butterfield graduated from Charles H. Darden High School. He earned degrees in political science and sociology from North Carolina Central University (NCCU). In 1974, he received a Juris Doctor degree from the NCCU School of Law.
Butterfield served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970.
In 1988, 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.
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