James Quincy Butler

Butler is originally from Lorain, Ohio. He earned a B.A. from Kent State University and in 2000, he earned a Juris Doctorate from the Ohio State University.[6]

Butler began practicing law in the District of Columbia in 2004.[7][8] He ran a law firm with 25 staff members.[9] In 2009, Butler consented to disbarment following accusations of fraud and legal malpractice.[10][11] In an interview, Butler said that the accusations were caused by the actions of a lawyer at his firm, whom he fired.[12][13]

In 2016, Butler was elected District Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 5D03 in Washington, D.C.[14] As commissioner, Butler focused on addressing issues of crime and public safety.[15]

In 2017, Butler announced his candidacy as a Democratic candidate for mayor of the District of Columbia.[3] He ran on a platform of affordable housing, rent control, ending homelessness, improving community policing, and ending mayoral control of D.C. public schools.[16]

In the June Democratic primary for the 2018 Washington, D.C. mayoral election, Butler received 10.7% of the vote.[17]

In 2019, Butler led an initiative to impose term limits on Washington, D.C.'s elected officials.[18][19] In April 2019, the Washington, D.C. Board of Elections ruled against allowing residents to vote to enact term limits.[20] Butler has also volunteered with several Washington, D.C.-based organizations, such as Bread for the City, Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, and Capital Area Food Bank.[21][22]

He is a board member of the National Ivy Foundation for the Homeless. He worked with the organization to establish an operation in Washington, D.C.[23] Alongside his church, the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, Butler has helped serve meals to children through the Race Against Hunger program.[24]

• Official website