Rep GK Butterfield issues endorsement in NC Democratic race

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield has endorsed state Sen. Don Davis, a Pitt County Democrat, in the campaign to succeed him in Congress.

Butterfield chose Davis from among four Democratic candidates vying for the party’s nomination to run for his seat in the House of Representatives. Among them, Davis and former state Sen. Erica Smith have emerged as front-runners. In a potentially competitive district that leans Democrat, several Republicans have also entered the race.

“Having served in Congress for 18 years, I know what people of the first district expect from their representatives,” Butterfield said in a news release Monday morning. “Don has the legislative experience and is prepared to fight for the Democratic agenda of empowering America’s families and communities.”

“I’m confident Don Davis will fight to protect voting rights, provide a safety net for those who have been left behind due to the pandemic, and advocate for public-private partnerships to build much needed infrastructure in the first district,” Butterfield said.

Butterfield, a 74-year-old Democrat from Wilson, has served North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District since 2004. A civil rights advocate and former judge, he announced his retirement last year after new political maps left him in a less favorable district.

“It is extremely humbling that he would think enough to support our campaign,” Davis told The News & Observer Monday morning. “The congressman is very thoughtful and thorough and this is what I see as a rally cry for the residents of Eastern North Carolina.”

Davis, a six-term state senator, is a former Air Force officer and mayor of the town of Snow Hill.

He said the endorsement is about something much bigger than himself: fighting for the future of the district.

“He understands the U.S. House and what it takes to be successful and for him using that knowledge base to lend his support and voice to our campaign, and more importantly for him to say, ‘Hey I’m voting for Don Davis and I encourage others to do so,’ Davis said, “I’m just really, really…