Congressman G. K. Butterfield is a native of Wilson, North Carolina. He is the son of Dr. G. K. Butterfield who practiced dentistry in Wilson for 50 years and was the first black elected official in Eastern North Carolina. His mother was a classroom teacher for more than 40 years. 

Congressman Butterfield graduated from Wilson's Darden High School and later received a bachelor's degree and law degree from North Carolina Central University in Durham. Following his law school graduation, Butterfield launched a law practice in his hometown with partners Milton F. "Toby" Fitch, Jr. and Quentin T. Sumner. Fitch would later become a member of the North Carolina General Assembly (House and Senate) and Senior Resident Superior Court Judge. Sumner was also elected in an adjoining district as Senior Resident Superior Court Judge.

During his law practice, Attorney Butterfield represented clients in various matters including criminal law, personal injury, estate administration and real estate. He was also widely known as co-counsel in various successful voting rights cases in eastern North Carolina. 

In 1984, James Andrew Wynn, Jr. (now federal Judge James Wynn, 4th Circuit) joined the law firm, which then became known as Fitch, Butterfield & Wynn. 

In 1988, following the restructuring of the method of electing superior court judges, Butterfield was elected as Resident Superior Court judge. He presided over civil and criminal courts in 46 counties of North Carolina, developing a reputation as a firm and fair trial judge. 

In 2001, Governor Michael F. Easley appointed Judge Butterfield as an Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court to replace Chief Justice Henry E. Frye who was defeated by Justice I. Beverly Lake, Jr. in the November 2000 general election. Justice Butterfield accepted the appointment and served on the Supreme Court until December 31, 2002. Like Justice Frye, Butterfield was defeated in the 2002 general election in a partisan race to retain his seat. 

On January 1, 2003, Governor Easley appointed Butterfield as a Special Superior Court judge, a position he held until April 2004, when he retired from the judiciary to run for Congress. 

On July 20, 2004, Butterfield was elected to the United States House of Representatives in a special election. Taking office the following day, Congressman Butterfield served the people of the first congressional district for the next 18 years. He retired from Congress on December 31, 2022, and is now employed as Senior Advisor to McGuireWoods Consulting LLC and is based in the Washington DC office. 

While serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Butterfield distinguished himself in many ways. He was a senior member of the powerful Committee on Energy & Commerce. In addition, he was the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Elections. For most of his congressional career, Congressman Butterfield served as Chief Deputy Whip to the legendary Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. 

In 2008, Congressman Butterfield was one of the first members of Congress to endorse and actively support Senator Barack Obama in his historic presidential campaign. Following President Obama's election, Congressman Butterfield was very involved with President Obama's legislative efforts. 

In 2014, Congressman Butterfield was unanimously elected Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. He served in this capacity with great distinction. One of Chairman Butterfield's achievements was the creation of "CBC Tech 2020" that resulted in many Fortune 500 companies becoming more diverse in their board and C-Suite appointments. 

Congressman Butterfield is a life-long member of Jackson Chapel First Baptist Church of Wilson. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970 as a Personnel Specialist. 

Congressman Butterfield is married to Dr. Sylvia Butterfield, Deputy Assistant Director for the National Science Foundation's Directorate for STEM Education in Alexandria, Virginia. He is the proud father of three successful daughters and four grandsons.