Georgia Senate Minority Leader Butler not running for re-election

ATLANTA – State Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler has announced she will not seek re-election this year.

Butler, D-Stone Mountain, was elected to the upper legislative chamber in 1998. She has been the Senate’s Democratic leader since the beginning of the 2021 legislative session, when she succeeded former Sen. Steve Henson of DeKalb County to become the first black woman to lead either party’s caucus in the Senate.

“I’ve had an extraordinary journey at this Capitol,” Butler told her Senate colleagues.

Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who presides over the state Senate, praised Butler for keeping an even keel when debating issues before the General Assembly, demonstrating an ability to disagree without being disagreeable.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with you,” Jones told Butler after her announcement. “You’ve been a fantastic friend … and a great leader for your caucus.”