Darrius Butler
Darrius Butler (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Georgia's 8th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Butler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Darrius Butler was born in Decatur, Georgia. Butler earned a bachelor's degree from Carver College in 2016.[1] His career experience includes working as a minister.[2] Butler founded a nonprofit and has served as the chair of the Boys & Girls Club of Warner Robins, Georgia.[3]
Elections
2024
See also: Georgia's 8th Congressional District election, 2024
Georgia's 8th Congressional District election, 2024 (May 21 Democratic primary)
Georgia's 8th Congressional District election, 2024 (May 21 Republican primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Georgia District 8
Incumbent Austin Scott defeated Darrius Butler in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 8 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Austin Scott (R) | 68.9 | 231,547 |
 | Darrius Butler (D)  | 31.1 | 104,434 | |
| Total votes: 335,981 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Justin Laster (D)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 8
Darrius Butler defeated Vinson Watkins in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 8 on May 21, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Darrius Butler | 71.6 | 15,755 |
 | Vinson Watkins | 28.4 | 6,236 | |
| Total votes: 21,991 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Justin Laster (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 8
Incumbent Austin Scott advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 8 on May 21, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Austin Scott | 100.0 | 59,537 |
| Total votes: 59,537 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Butler in this election.
2022
See also: Georgia's 8th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Georgia District 8
Incumbent Austin Scott defeated Darrius Butler in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 8 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Austin Scott (R) | 68.6 | 178,700 |
| Darrius Butler (D) | 31.4 | 81,886 | |
| Total votes: 260,586 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Michelle Cope (L)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 8
Darrius Butler advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 8 on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Darrius Butler | 100.0 | 30,655 |
| Total votes: 30,655 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 8
Incumbent Austin Scott advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 8 on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Austin Scott | 100.0 | 90,426 |
| Total votes: 90,426 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Mike Reece (R)
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Darrius Butler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Butler's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Our communities are full of stories of people who have reached out to the congressional office for help and never heard back. Our families and neighbors get left hanging by the person we elected to stand up for us. Instead of disappearing into the swamp of Washington DC, I will focus on showing up, listening to the people of South Georgia, and finding resources to solve our problems.
- Life is getting more expensive, and good paying jobs are harder and harder to find. Grocery prices and housing costs are rising. Parents are watching their children leave town to make a life somewhere else because it’s too hard here. We are a region of working class families who are tired of being screwed by corporate criminals, international special interests, and politicians who make special deals for them but think it’s “too political” to stand up for us.
- There are counties in our district with no primary care doctor or no emergency room. Average emergency response times are between 11 and 20 minutes (it should be 4-8 minutes). Addiction and mental health disorders are on the rise. There have been 8 mass shootings in Georgia in the last decade alone. Instead of taking money from insurance companies, drug companies, and gun lobbyists, I will tackle these harms head on.
Voting Rights and elections
Civil rights
Worker protections and wages
Small businesses
Agriculture
Green economy and the environment
Education
Housing
Healthcare
Public safety
Senior rights and protections
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Butler’s campaign website stated the following:
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JUSTICE Rev. Butler's passion lies in reforming the American criminal justice system, especially during these turbulent times. With a family history in law enforcement, he is deeply troubled by the divide between communities and officers. He strongly opposes defunding police budgets, believing it will only worsen community relations. To bridge this gap, funding for law enforcement should be increased, a national misconduct database should be established, and prisons should not be privatized. The current system disproportionately incarcerates people of color, mainly due to poverty criminalization, inadequate addiction support, and lack of post-release assistance. To prevent recidivism, we must address these issues and strive for a fair and just system for all. EDUCATION The education of Georgia's students is crucial for our future success. We must involve parents and the community in the growth and development of our children. It is essential to raise teacher pay and provide resources for schools. Restoring tax provisions for educators and providing grants for after-school programs are important steps. Equitable funding for all K-12 schools is necessary, along with investment in Pre-K education, civics, and STEM programs. Ensuring free lunch for all K-12 students and tuition-free public community institutions is vital. Supporting vocational education, fully funding Pell grants, and reducing higher education costs are priorities for a successful education system in Georgia. HEALTHCARE Our healthcare system is flawed, leaving millions of Americans uninsured due to job loss. Rev. Butler advocates for a public option to ensure access to care for all, emphasizing the life-saving importance of healthcare. Georgia has a high uninsured rate, particularly in rural areas. It's crucial to address the needs of 1.3 million Georgians by expanding and enhancing the Affordable Care Act. Closing the coverage gap and improving access to care can boost national health outcomes and prevent avoidable health issues. Fear of medical expenses should never prevent someone from seeking timely healthcare. Let's work towards a system that prioritizes the well-being of all individuals. INFRASTRUCTURE This planet is our only home and we must protect it by promoting clean energy. Clean energy not only benefits the environment but also creates jobs and reduces costs for families. It is crucial to prioritize fossil fuel workers for clean energy jobs, especially in middle and south Georgia. We must also ensure that marginalized communities have access to training and education for clean energy jobs. Additionally, we need to invest in resources, infrastructure, and education in communities of color to reduce energy costs. It is important to advocate for strong environmental standards and hold polluters accountable. Let's work together to transition to a clean economy by 2050. PROTECTING DEMOCRACY This planet is our only home and we must protect it by promoting clean energy. Clean energy not only benefits the environment but also creates jobs and reduces costs for families. It is crucial to prioritize fossil fuel workers for clean energy jobs, especially in middle and south Georgia. We must also ensure that marginalized communities have access to training and education for clean energy jobs. Additionally, we need to invest in resources, infrastructure, and education in communities of color to reduce energy costs. It is important to advocate for strong environmental standards and hold polluters accountable. Let's work together to transition to a clean economy by 2050.[4] |
” |
| —Darrius Butler’s campaign website (2024)[5] | ||
2022
Darrius Butler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Butler's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- To rebuild and invest in South Georgia infrastructure and growth development.
- Ensuring all K-12 Public schools are equally funded.
- Lowering prescription drug cost & expanding medicade
Raising every Georgia family out of poverty.
Honesty, Integrity, Work Ethic
Compassion for others
To listen to constituents.
7 Years Old
Education and Labor
I responded with democrat and proceeded to ask what she was. She told me she hadn't voted since 2008 for President Obama, when I asked her why hadn't voted in so long my expectations were that she disagreed with the policies, or didn't like the direction the country was going in, instead she explained in 2008 people came and talked to her. They didn't anymore after that. she went on to say " Democrats don't even pretend to care about us, people say they come around when they want votes but y'all don't come around at all. You're the first democrat I seen actually stand up and try to run" .That broke my heart because it's not our policies that rural America disagrees with, it's the fact that "democrats don't even pretend to care". We have got to break that stigma. Every voter is our voter, if we give them a reason to vote for us.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Butler's campaign website stated the following:
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Healthcare " To many hospitals have been closing down throughout our district, I proudly support demanding each state uses all federal funds available to invest in and open new hospitals. Our Biggest priority should be ensuring that every American citizen has access to adequate healthcare by expansions to Medicare & Medicaid. " GEORGIA'S HEALTHCARE Our current healthcare system is flawed; millions of Americans have lost their jobs and as a result have lost their healthcare. Your access to care should not be connected to an employer. Rev. Butler believes having access to care can be the difference between life and death. Rev. Butler will fight every day to ensure that every American has a public option they can buy into. Georgia has the third highest percentage of it's citizen to be uninsured - this equals about 13.5% of our over all population with a majority of individuals living throughout rural regions of the state. It is unacceptable to ignore the need 1.3 million Georgians. By expanding and improving on the Affordable Care Act, we can provide coverage for disenfranchised Americans while still allowing those who are benefiting from their private insurance to continue to use it. If we focus on fixing the flaws in our healthcare system and closing that gap of coverage we will see the over-all health of the nation improve. The largest cause of premature death, disease, or dismemberment come from not visiting your primary care in time. The fear of astronomical medical bills should not play a role in choosing to get care. As your next Congressman, Rev. Butler will devote his energy and drive to: The LGBTQ+ community must be included in our healthcare system. Our society has become more inclusive and understanding of our fellow citizens. To live up to greatest standard of care we must:
General Healthcare in Georgia must be protected, from pre-existing conditions to holding pharmaceutical corporations responsible and accountable, These actions can be completed by:
In order for our healthcare system to be at it's best we must take every precaution to sure that Women's Health and well-being are in the forefront of our focus. This includes:
" From our roads & bridges to affordable housing opportunity, my job as the next Congressman of Georgia's 8th Congressional District will be: To expand our highways, Rebuild our bridges, Expand internet access to every home, Fight for our farmers, Spearhead the demand for a highspeed rail in our area."
"Justice is equality; Equality under the law based on fairness, Truth and Justice. We must adequately invest and support our local and federal law enforcement while holding bad actors accountable.Both things can be done at once when we listen to one another and work together." JUSTICE IN GEORGIA The American criminal justice system is one of Rev. butler's most passionate focuses. These past few years have been some of the most tumultuous years since the 1960's civil rights era. Coming from a family of law enforcement officers Rev. Butler has been heartbroken over the divisions of our communities and officers. Rev. Butler has said on numerous occasions that the thought of defunding police officers budgets would do nothing but harm the overall community. We must rebuild the between the the two groups. To properly reach this goal we must increase funding to local and state law enforcement offices, create a national database that tracks misconduct and de-privatize our prisons. Our prisons are being filled disproportionately by people of color, due to the criminalization of poverty, a broken system of providing aid for those battling addiction, and a lack of support once someone is released to prevent their return. As your next Congressman Rev. Butler will push for the protections guaranteed to us by the promises of liberty for all and equal protection under the law by:
In order for our rights to be protected we must uphold the First Amendment by:
Georgians are avid hunters and fire arms collectors, we must refrain from punishing lawful gun owners for the criminal acts done by some. We must insure the protections guaranteed under the Second Amendment by: Upholding the second amendment and reassuring lawful & responsible gun owners. Create a national gun registry. Closing loopholes in background checks. End senseless gun violence, by preventing high risk individuals from acquiring weaponry. American citizens have been taken advantage of by insurance companies, financial institutions, and social media companies Consumer Protection must be a focus for the next congress by:
Georgia's Seniors & Veterans deserve their voices to be heard. We must not continue to allow our most value and treasured commodity to slip through the cracks. We must extend protections by:
" I wholeheartedly stand firm on providing the greatest education possible to each Georgia student regardless of zip-code. There is no excuse that a student in rural Georgia does not have every technological advancement as a student in a metropolitan area." GEORGIA'S STUDENTS The education of Georgia's students is the foundation to our continued success. The growth and development of our children can not be the sole responsibility of teachers in the classrooms in involves the active engagement of parents and the community as a whole.
TECHNOLOGY IN AMERICA Protecting our elections should be a primary focus of every government official. Our system of government can only work when every citizen is engaged in the process. The American people have demanded that their voices be heard. In order to fulfill the promises of a representative democracy we must fight against the disenfranchisement of communities of color and rural areas by rejecting any and all acts of voter suppressions and partisan re-districting by :
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” |
| —Darrius Butler's campaign website (2022)[6] | ||
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House Georgia District 8 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 9, 2022
- ↑ Facebook, "Reverend Darrius Butler," accessed April 5, 2022
- ↑ Darrius Butler, "About," accessed April 5, 2022
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Darrius Butler’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed April 24, 2024
- ↑ Darrius Butler, “Platform,” accessed March 28, 2022
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