Albert Butler
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Albert Butler (born 1947)[1][2] is an American politician who has served as a Democratic member of the Mississippi State Senate since 2010. He represents the 37th district, having previously represented the 36th district, and was elected following a special election after the departure of his predecessor. Prior to his tenure in the state legislature, Butler served multiple terms as a Claiborne County supervisor. He was indicted in Operation Pretense in the 1980s for mail fraud but was found innocent of all charges.
37th district (2024–present)
Albert Butler | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Mississippi State Senate | |
| Assumed office 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Vincent Davis |
| Constituency | 36th district (2010–2024) 37th district (2024–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1947 (age 78–79) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Alcorn State University (BS) Jackson State University (MS) |
He is a graduate of Alcorn State University and Jackson State University and has worked as a farmer, small businessman, school teacher, and academic manager for Mississippi Job Corps.
Early life and education
Born in 1947 in Port Gibson, Mississippi,[1][2][3] Butler graduated from Alcorn State University with a bachelor of science and Jackson State University with a master of science.[4][5][6]
He has worked as a farmer, small businessman, and public school teacher.[5][7][8] He has worked as an academic manager for Mississippi Job Corps.[4]
Political career
County supervisor
Butler began his political career in 1983, challenging incumbent Claiborne County supervisor and board president William Matt Ross for the District 1 seat.[9] Running as an independent, he defeated Ross with over 63 percent of the vote.[10][9] His victory was part of a larger set of progressive victories for reform in the county.[9]
As a Claiborne County supervisor, he was charged in September 1987 for mail fraud in Operation Pretense, a sting operation against county officials.[11][12] Despite the charges, he easily won re-election as a Democrat over two independents in November 1987.[12] He was found innocent in 1998,[1] the only one of the 57 charged in the operation.[13]
In 1991, he defeated four opponents in the Democratic primary with a little over 52 percent of the vote.[14] He won in the general over an independent candidate with 64 percent of the vote.[15]
Butler lost re-election in the Democratic primary in 1995 against Evan Doss,[16] the county tax collector and assessor who had supported Butler's 1983 campaign.[17] Butler secured 47 percent of the vote.[16] Butler had challenged Doss's eligibility, for he did not live in the district.[16] While his initial challenge was denied by the Claiborne County Executive Committee due to Butler missing a deadline,[16] Butler later secured a court victory from then-Circuit Judge Keith Starrett.[18]
He narrowly won re-election in the 1999 primary, winning by 73 votes; he won over three independent candidates in the November general election.[19]
While board president, Butler was forced to a runoff in the Democratic primary for his District 1 seat in 2003, receiving just 26 votes short of securing a majority.[20] He lost in the runoff against Democrat Allen Burks by 13 votes, ending his time in county government.[21]
Senator
Butler, no longer in county office, ran for election to the Mississippi State Senate for the 36th district in 2007.[2] He received the most votes in the primary and advanced to a runoff against Democrat Vincent Davis.[22] He lost against Davis, securing about 45 percent of the vote.[23] However, in early 2010, Davis was appointed as a chancery judge.[24] Butler ran in the special election and was elected to the Mississippi State Senate in a March 2010; he was inaugurated later that month.[24]