Congressman Butterfield Elected to 5th Term in Congress


WILSON, NC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) tonight won his 5th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The eastern North Carolina native represents the First Congressional District, which now includes parts of Durham and Franklin Counties.

“I am grateful to the citizens of eastern North Carolina for giving me the honor to once again represent them in the United States Congress,” Butterfield said. “Middle-class families across North Carolina need a fighter in their corner who will defend their access to a high quality education, affordable healthcare and good paying jobs,” he added.  “I will use this opportunity to continue to fight to protect low-income and middle-class Americans.”

Butterfield also noted that resolving the impending fiscal crisis should be the first order of business when Congress reconvenes.  “Congress urgently needs to repeal the drastic cuts scheduled to hit Defense and discretionary spending.  The future of the economy is largely dependent on our ability to prevent these damaging cuts, and develop a fair and responsible way to reduce our national deficit.”

Butterfield was first elected in a 2004 special election.  In the House, he sits on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, and serves as the Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Caucus.  He is also the Second Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.  Prior to Congress, Butterfield served as a Superior Court judge, North Carolina Supreme Court justice, and a civil rights attorney.