Butler received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from State University of New York at Potsdam.[2] He worked as a reporter for the Utica Observer-Dispatch from 1976 to 1986, and was a corporate communications specialist for Utica National Insurance Group from 1986 to 1995.[1] Butler was a Newport Village Trustee and also served as Deputy Mayor of the village. He then served two terms in the Herkimer County Legislature, where he was elected Majority Leader in 1993.[2]
He was first elected to represent 113th Assembly District in 1995. Due to redistricting, he was elected to the new 117th Assembly District in 2002.[2] Butler won the November 2008 general election with 71 percent of the vote[3][4] and ran uncontested in the November 2010 general election.[5][6] He did not seek reelection in 2018.
Butler resides in the Village of Newport with his wife Susan. They have two children, Caitlin and Jeffrey.[2]
