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D. Chris Buttars (born April 1, 1942) is a Republican member of the Utah State Senate representing senate district 10 (which spans the cities of South Jordan, West Jordan, and Herriman). He has served as a state senator since 2001.

Early life and career

Buttars was born in Logan, Utah on April 1, 1942, and graduated from Utah State University with a B.S. in Marketing/Economics in 1967. Upon graduating from Utah State University he was employed at Amoco Oil Company from 1967 to 1976 as a Retail Sales Manager. In 1976 he became the Executive Director of the Petroleum Retails Organization. He was director of the controversial Utah Boys Ranch, now known as West Ridge Academy, a Mormon reeducation camp for boys in West Jordan, for 15 years before being forced into retirement in 2004.

Buttars is married to Helen, and is the father of six and currently lives in West Jordan, Utah. He successfully ran for the West Jordan City Council in 1970, and served on the City Council until 1983. Buttars ran for the Utah Senate in 2000, and has served as Utah State Senator for district 10 from 2001 to present. Buttars has served in various Republican Party leadership positions. Buttars is also a recipient of the Boy Scouts of America's Silver Beaver award for distinguished service to the BSA.

Legislation and policy

Buttars has sponsored legislation banning gay straight alliances in public schools, has introduced a resolution urging companies to have their employees say "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Holidays" to customers, as well as an Intelligent Design Bill. Buttars has sponsored legislation to fund drug treatment programs, supports raising the minimum wage and assisting child crime victims. Buttars was named by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann as the "Worst Person in the World.".

Intelligent design

During the 2006 General Session of the 56th Utah State Legislature Buttars sponsored S.B. 96, an Intelligent Design Bill. The bill would have forced instructors to teach students that evolution is a controversial theory and counter the theory with that of Creationists, using the term "Divine Design" . The New York Times called the bill "Anti-Darwin" and critics have pointed to Buttars' words "Divine Design" as evidence for its religious undertow. The bill failed.

Accusations of racism

In an interview with radio hosts Tom Grover & Ryan Yonk, Buttars said that he " know of an example where the minority is being jeopardized by legislative action." When Grover mentioned Brown v. Board of Education, which desegregated American schools, Buttars responded that he thought "Brown v. Board of Education is wrong to begin with." In response to public reaction to his statements and accusations of racism, Buttars responded, "I don't think there's a racial bone in my body..." and "I don't see black and white. I see people. I always have."

During a debate of a school-funding bill on the floor of the State Senate in February 2008, the bill's sponsor compared the bill to the baby involved in the Biblical story of King Solomon. Buttars responded saying, "This baby is black, I'll tell you. This is a dark, ugly thing." Buttars apologized for a remark on the State Senate floor, saying, "I got a little carried away, and I made a comment that I think a lot of people could take as racist. I certainly did not mean that in any way, but it was wrong and could easily be taken in just that way. I apologize to anyone who took offense." In an interview, Buttars said, "We live in a very, very sensitive world. Although what I said had literally nothing in my mind to do with a human being at all — we were talking about an ugly bill — I made a statement that could be easily misinterpreted, and it was."

Opposition

In his 2008 reelection campaign, Buttars main opposition came from Democrat John Rendell. Rendell's campaign focused on accusations of racism and claims that Buttars was unpopular. Buttars won reelection in a close contest, winning 49.6% of ballots cast to Rendell's 45.1%. The remaining 5.3% was won by Constitution Party candidate Steve Maxfield.

Gay Rights

Buttars has been outspoken on issues dealing with homosexuality, and co-sponsored Utah Constitutional Amendment 3 with Utah Boys Ranch colleague LaVar Christensen, which defined marriage in Utah as consisting "only of the legal union between a man and a woman." Buttars criticized the domestic partnership executive order signed by Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. Buttars also introduced legislation that would ban gay clubs and gay-straight alliances in public schools. In 2008 Salt Lake City's newly elected Mayor Ralph Becker introduced a domestic partnership registry that was unanimously approved by the City Council. On February 11, 2008 Buttars introduced a counter bill, SB0267, designed to prevent cities or counties from operating any kind of domestic partnership registry, alleging such registries would violate Utah Constitutional Amendment 3's ban on same-sex marriage and domestic unions. Buttars became the subject of even more criticism on February 17, 2009, when in an interview with KTVX reporter Reed Cowan he compared homosexuals to radical Muslims and claimed that the gay rights movement is "the greatest threat to America". Buttars might be headed for trouble after these last remarks with the Senate vowing to "deal with Buttars publicly" for his anti-gay statements. On February 20, 2009 he was removed as chairman and member from the Judicial Standing Committee due to these remarks.

Electoral History

2000

2004

2008

See also

• Utah Boys Ranch
• List of Utah State Legislatures
• Utah Republican Party
• Utah Senate

External links

• Utah House District Profiles
• Official Biography of D. Chris Buttars

References

1. DailyKos 'Trapped In A Mormon Gulag'
2. - Illegal Disciplinary Tactics at Buttars' West Ridge Academy
3. Norwood, Eric (2009-01-02). "Trapped In A Mormon Gulag". Orato Media Corp. Retrieved 2009-02-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
4. "Illegal Goings On at the Utah Boys Ranch". The Associated Press. September 27, 2004. Retrieved 2009-02-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
5. Roche, Lisa Riley (2009-01-29). "Buttars still fighting in war about Christmas". Deseret News. Retrieved 2009-02-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
6. Salt Lake Tribune - Buttars stands out as morals crusader
7. Buttars named 'Worst Person in the World.'
8. - Response to Controversy: Politics | last = Buttars | first = D. Chris | title = S.B. 96: Public Education - Instruction and Policy Relating to the Origins of Life | url= http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2006/htmdoc/sbillhtm/sb0096.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-12 }}
9. Johnson, Kirk (2006-02-28). "Anti-Darwin Bill Fails in Utah". The New York Times. Retrieved 2006-02-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
10. Salt Lake Tribune - Evolution not yet extinct in schools
11. Salt Lake Tribune - Buttars insists his radio remarks were not motivated by racism
12. ^ "Senator apologizes for 'black baby' comment". Associated Press. KUTV, Four Points Media Group LLC. 2008-02-13.
13. Robinson, Jeff (2008-02-13). "Sen. Buttars Apologizes for Remark". KCPW News. KCPW.
14. "Senator apologizes for 'black baby' comment". Associated Press. KUTV. 2008-02-13.
15. Riley Roche, Lisa (2008-02-19). "Buttars says he'll run for re-election in November". Deseret Morning News.
16. ^ 2008 General Election Results State of Utah Elections Offices. Retrieved on 01 January 2009. (XLS)
17. - Response to Controversy: Politics
18. ^ Bernick, Jr., Bob (2004-08-24). "Marriage measure dividing Utah race". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 2006-02-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
19. Toomer-Cook, Jennifer (2006-02-23). "Student-club bill progresses". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 2006-02-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
20. Jensen, Derek P. (2008-02-12). "SLC's domestic partners registry targeted by Senate panel". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
21. Winters, Rosemary (2008-02-18). "Buttars: Gays 'greatest threat to America'". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2008-02-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
22. Norwood, Eric (2008-02-19). "Buttars Headed For Trouble -- Again". Retrieved 2008-02-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Text "publisher" ignored (help)
23. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5644436
24. State of Utah Elections Office (PDF) accessed 01 January 2009.
25. State of Utah Elections Office (PDF) accessed 01 January 2009.

• Living people
• 1942 births
• Utah State University alumni
• American Latter Day Saints
• Utah State Senators