M. Caldwell Butler

M. Caldwell Butler
File:M. Caldwell Butler.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 6th district
In office November 7, 1972 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by	Richard H. Poff
Succeeded by	James R. Olin
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Roanoke City
In office January 10, 1962 – 1971
Personal details
Born	Manley Caldwell Butler (1925-06-02)June 2, 1925 Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
Died	Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	June Butler
Relations	James A. Walker (great-grandfather)
Children	Henry N. Butler
Alma mater	University of Richmond (A.B.) University of Virginia (LL.B.)
Profession	lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1943–1946
Rank	Ensign
Battles/wars	World War II

Manley Caldwell Butler (June 2, 1925 – July 29, 2014) was a U.S. Representative from Virginia and a great-grandson of James A. Walker.

Biography

Born in Roanoke, Virginia, Butler graduated from Jefferson Senior High School there in 1942. A.B., University of Richmond (Virginia), 1948. LL.B., University of Virginia Law School, Charlottesville, 1950. Ensign, United States Navy from 1943 to 1946. He was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1950 and commenced practice in Roanoke. He was a lawyer in private practice.

Butler was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from Roanoke from 1962 to 1971, serving as chairman of the joint Republican caucus from 1964 to 1966, and as minority leader from 1966 to 1971.

Butler was elected simultaneously as a Republican to the Ninety-second and Ninety-third Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative Richard H. Poff, and reelected to the four succeeding Congresses (November 7, 1972 – January 3, 1983). As a freshman Republican and member of the Judiciary Committee in 1974, Butler received extensive attention for voting to impeach President Richard Nixon in the aftermath of the Watergate break in. He was not a candidate for reelection to the Ninety-eighth Congress in 1982. He resumed the practice of law in Roanoke. He was a resident of Roanoke, Virginia.

Butler died on July 29, 2014 at the age of 89. His wife June predeceased him the previous month.

Bob Goodlatte, once a member of his staff, currently holds his former seat.

Elections

• 1972; Butler was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election with 51.76% of the vote, defeating Democrat Willis Martin Anderson and Independent Roy R. White. He was simultaneously re-elected in the general election with 54.62% of the vote, defeating Democrat Anderson and Independent White.
• 1974; Butler was re-elected with 45.15% of the vote, defeating Democrat Paul J. Puckett and Independents Warren D. Saunders and Timothy A, McGay.
• 1976; Butler was re-elected with 62.24% of the vote, defeating Independent Saunders.
• 1978; Butler was re-elected unopposed.
• 1980; Butler was re-elected unopposed.

References

• M. Caldwell Butler at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved on 2008-03-27

Political offices
Preceded by Richard H. Poff	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 6th congressional district 1972–1983	Succeeded by Jim Olin