Butkovitz graduated from Temple University and earned a law degree from the Temple University School of Law. Prior to holding elected office, Butkovitz was an Philadelphia attorney handling civil, criminal and environmental coverage cases. He was a partner of Gold, Butkovitz & Robbins P.C. In 1980, he won a first amendment case in U.S District Court Third Circuit that opened up the Mummers Parade to women, minorities, and new entrants.
Pennsylvania General Assembly
Butkovitz served 15 years representing the 174th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Butkovitz led a three-year bipartisan investigation into violence in Philadelphia public school that led to creating the Office of the Safe School Advocate, the first of its kind in the nation with the authority to fight for victims of school violence and monitor the School District of Philadelphia’s compliance with the Safe Schools Act. During his first term, Butkovitz fought against his party's leadership to successfully repeal a tax requiring senior citizens to include social security, pensions, and veteran's benefits as taxable income. In November 2005, he was elected Philadelphia City Controller and resigned his legislative seat effective December 31, 2005.
Butkovitz won the 2005 Democratic Primary Election for Controller with 96% of the vote over John L Braxton. He went on to win the General Election, taking 72% of the vote in a three-way race. During his 2009 re-election campaign, Butkovitz faced Braxton and Brett Mandel in the Democratic Primary and claimed victory with 42% of the vote. He defeated Republican Al Schmidt in the General Election, taking 72% of the vote. Butkovitz again faced two Democratic Primary opponents in 2013 - Mandel and Mark Zecca. In a primary where nearly $1 million was spent, Butkovitz was victorious and took 61% of the vote. He defeated Republican Terry Tracy in the General Election by taking 82% of the vote. Butkovitz ran for re-election in the 2017 primary against Rebecca Rhynhart. Butkovitz lost in an upset to reform minded Rhynhart, 58%-41%.
Ward leader
Butkovitz is Ward Leader of the 54th Ward Democratic Executive Committee. Butkovitz ran in the 2019 Democratic primary for mayor against incumbent Jim Kenney. He finished third in the race, taking 8.75%.
