Michael Butler elected new Missouri Democratic Party chair

Michael Butler, a former state representative endorsed by Labor and St. Louis’ first Black Recorder of Deeds, has been elected to lead Missouri’s Democratic Party.

Butler will serve as party chairman through the 2022 general election. He was elected recorder of deeds in 2019 after serving as a Democratic state representative in District 79 (St. Louis) since 2012.

“Democrats across this state will continue the work to move Missouri into the future, Butler said in a statement. “I am excited to lead the over one million Missouri Democrats for the coming years in our journey to improve our state.”

Butler succeeds former state Representative Clem Smith, vice president of the St. Louis chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and a member of Operating Engineers Local 399. Smith was named acting chair after Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker resigned in July.

The Missouri Democratic Party also elected Genevieve Williams as vice chair, reelected Cydney Mayfield as treasurer and elected Manny Arbaca IV as secretary.