Jean Farmer-Butterfield


Jean Farmer-Butterfield is an American politician and Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly, representing the state's twenty-fourth House district since 2003. Her district includes constituents in Pitt and Wilson counties.
From Wilson, North Carolina, Farmer-Butterfield was one of the Majority Whips from 2007 to 2011. She lost that position after the Republican Party members gained control of the North Carolina House of Representatives in the 2010 election. Farmer-Butterfield was criticized after it was discovered that she signed a mortgage contract for a Johnston County home that required her to make it her primary residence for at least one year, which is outside her district.
In 2020, Governor Roy Cooper nominated Farmer-Butterfield to the state Employment Security Board of Review, an appointment that requires confirmation by the legislature. She was confirmed on July 8, 2020, meaning that she would have to resign her House seat.

Education and family

She earned both her B.A. and M.A. from North Carolina Central University. For twenty years, she was married to G.K. Butterfield, now a U.S. Congressman. They have two adult daughters, Valeisha Butterfield Jones and Lenai Butterfield. Farmer-Butterfield has worked as a consultant and manager of non-profits in the health and human services field for many years. She is African-American.