(Butch) Lawter, Jr.
Republican · NC
(Butch) Lawter, Jr. is a Republican candidate for JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 07 in the November 2026 general election.
Where (Butch) Lawter, Jr. stands, based on their records
Supports
Environment and Public Health (2 records), Government Efficiency (2 records), Public Safety and Crime Control (3 records),
Mixed record
Government Spending Reduction (2 support · 4 oppose)
Campaign finance information not available
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 2 support
As commission chair, supported adoption of Envision Johnston, the county's comprehensive land-use plan balancing growth and infrastructure with agricultural preservation, conservation, and sustainability.
August 7, 2023Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: johnstonnc.com · researched July 18, 2026
As commission chair, signed an amended $129.5 million capital-project ordinance for a new 4-million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment facility, biosolids improvements, flood-resiliency work, and an effluent force main.
November 7, 2022Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: deq.nc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 2 support
As Johnston County commission chair, signed a letter supporting Orange County's transition to the Capital Area Workforce Development Board and a five-county regional workforce area.
October 3, 2022Supports Government Efficiency
Source: commerce.nc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
As Johnston County commission chair, signed a letter supporting Lee and Chatham counties' request to consolidate with the Capital Area Workforce Development Board to improve regional access to workforce services.
January 19, 2022Supports Government Efficiency
Source: commerce.nc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 2 support · 4 oppose
Led the commissioners' fiscal 2026-27 budget work and recommended a budget that cut the tax rate one cent, fully funded the public schools' $116.3 million operating request, increased community-college funding, added public-safety positions, and committed to a more open budget process.
June 15, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: johnstonnc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Supported the final $850,000 needed for phase one of Johnston County's first county park, with the reserve advance to be repaid from development fees and most project costs covered by grants and development funding.
October 6, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: johnstonnc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
As commission chair, supported a performance-based economic-development agreement and partial lease guarantee for Wylie Capital's planned $55 million Clayton Commerce Center industrial park.
May 5, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: growwithjoco.com · researched July 18, 2026
Supported Johnston County's $351 million fiscal 2023-24 budget, which cut the property-tax rate from 73 to 69 cents, reduced the manager's proposed expenses by $22 million, and funded public safety, schools, infrastructure, and fire-service changes.
June 19, 2023Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: johnstonnc.com · researched July 18, 2026
As commission chair, supported a building lease and performance-based incentive grant for BioRealty's planned $27 million life-sciences industrial park in Clayton.
June 5, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: growwithjoco.com · researched July 18, 2026
As commission chair, signed an amended $129.5 million capital-project ordinance for a new 4-million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment facility, biosolids improvements, flood-resiliency work, and an effluent force main.
November 7, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: deq.nc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 3 support
Led the commissioners' fiscal 2026-27 budget work and recommended a budget that cut the tax rate one cent, fully funded the public schools' $116.3 million operating request, increased community-college funding, added public-safety positions, and committed to a more open budget process.
June 15, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: johnstonnc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
As commission chair, signed the resolution creating a unified Johnston County Fire Protection Service District, effective July 1, 2024, after a public hearing and review of service needs and funding feasibility.
April 15, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: johnstonnc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Supported Johnston County's $351 million fiscal 2023-24 budget, which cut the property-tax rate from 73 to 69 cents, reduced the manager's proposed expenses by $22 million, and funded public safety, schools, infrastructure, and fire-service changes.
June 19, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: johnstonnc.com · researched July 18, 2026
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 4 support
Supported the final $850,000 needed for phase one of Johnston County's first county park, with the reserve advance to be repaid from development fees and most project costs covered by grants and development funding.
October 6, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: johnstonnc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Publicly advocated expanding passenger-rail service through Johnston County, including more Selma stops and a new station near Clayton or Wilson's Mills, while the county worked with NCDOT on station planning and funding.
August 29, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: wral.com · researched July 18, 2026
As commission chair, supported adoption of Envision Johnston, the county's comprehensive land-use plan balancing growth and infrastructure with agricultural preservation, conservation, and sustainability.
August 7, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: johnstonnc.com · researched July 18, 2026
As commission chair, signed an amended $129.5 million capital-project ordinance for a new 4-million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment facility, biosolids improvements, flood-resiliency work, and an effluent force main.
November 7, 2022Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: deq.nc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
Track record — General
General · 5 records
Was unanimously appointed vice chair of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners after completing three years as board chair.
December 1, 2025
Source: johnstonnc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
As commission chair, supported a performance-based economic-development agreement and partial lease guarantee for Wylie Capital's planned $55 million Clayton Commerce Center industrial park.
May 5, 2025
Source: growwithjoco.com · researched July 18, 2026
Was unanimously elected chair of the Central Pines Regional Council Board of Delegates for fiscal 2023-24.
August 23, 2023
Source: centralpinesnc.gov · researched July 18, 2026
As commission chair, supported a building lease and performance-based incentive grant for BioRealty's planned $27 million life-sciences industrial park in Clayton.
June 5, 2023
Source: growwithjoco.com · researched July 18, 2026
As commission chair, supported a performance-based county incentive agreement for anticipated Novo Nordisk investments and job creation over the following 12 years.
September 6, 2022
Source: researchtriangle.org · researched July 18, 2026
Race (Butch) Lawter, Jr. is in:
- JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 07 · November 3, 2026 · Johnston County, North Carolina
Profile last researched July 16, 2026.