Speculation has Judge Terry Butts running for Senate

By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter

Troy University’s recent homecoming was filled with excitement and celebration. Talk about the university’s winning football program was a constant point of pride for students, faculty and alumni. But there was another topic that generated considerable buzz within the celebration, and it was speculation that alumni Judge Terry Butts is running for a state Senate seat.

Several distinguished guests at Troy’s homecoming confirmed to the Alabama Political Reporter that Judge Butts was running for the open Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Dick Brewbaker.

Senate District 25 represents portions of Crenshaw County, Elmore County, Montgomery County as well as Troy University, where Butts received his Bachelor’s Degree before attending the University of Alabama to earn a Juris Doctorate in 1968.

Butts presently serves on the Troy University Alumni Board, as well as serves as the Pro Bono Legal Counsel to the Board. In October 1994, he was also honored as one of three Troy graduates named as Alumni of the Year 1994. At this year’s homecoming event, he was inducted into the newly-created Troy University Alumni of the Year “Society.”

During the ceremony, Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins remarked, “In the history of Troy University, there have been over 155,000 graduates, but only some 151 Alumni of the Year selected.”

While several alumni, including a current state senator, said Butts was running to represent Senate District 25, APR has not been able to confirm this with Butts.

Former Supreme Court Justice Terry Butts, a Republican, served on Alabama’s Supreme Court from 1994 to 1998. Butts was born in Patsburg and currently resides in Luverne. Butts received his Bachelor’s Degree from Troy University. He attended the University of Alabama to obtain a Juris Doctorate in 1968. Butts served as a district and circuit court judge, and he became the first Crenshaw County native to be elected to Alabama’s Supreme Court. Butts currently serves as a leader in the Republican Party in Alabama.