Wendell Butler Jr. facts for kids

Wendell Butler Jr. was a politician who served as the mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Republican Party. He was mayor from 2002 to 2012.

About Wendell Butler Jr.

Early Life and Career

Wendell Butler Jr. was born in 1943 or 1944. He grew up in Chester, Pennsylvania. He lived in a federal housing project and went to public schools there. Later, he moved to Ridley Township and finished high school in 1962.

After high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served for three years. When he returned to Chester, he worked at the American Viscose Corporation. In 1969, he became a police officer in Chester. He was promoted to sergeant in 1989. By 1994, he became a major in the police department. In 1996, Mayor Aaron Wilson Jr. chose him to be the police commissioner.

Becoming Mayor

On October 9, 2002, the city council chose Wendell Butler Jr. to become mayor. He took over from Dominic F. Pileggi, who became a state senator. After being appointed, Butler won two more elections to stay as mayor.

In 2010, he put a special rule in place, like a curfew, to help keep the city safe during a difficult time.

Later Political Career

In the 2011 election for mayor of Chester, Wendell Butler Jr. ran again. However, he lost to John Linder, a member of the Democratic Party. This election ended a long period where Republicans had been in charge of Chester's government. Before this, only one Democratic mayor, Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard, had served since 1905.

In 2015, Butler tried to become mayor again but was not successful. He ran against Democratic candidate Thaddeus Kirkland. In 2012, the Delaware County Council chose him to serve on the board of the Chester Water Authority for five years.

Personal Life

Wendell Butler Jr. is married to Tanya Butler. They have two children named Dondi and Dirk. He also has an older daughter, Elaine, from a previous marriage.

See Also

• List of mayors of Chester, Pennsylvania