Melissa Butler

    

The Honorable Melissa Butler MP
Leader of the New Labor Party
Incumbent
Assumed office September 30, 2021
Preceded by	Position established
Secretary of Commerece, Labor, and Transportation
In office July 17th, 2019 – September 24, 2021
Monarch	William II
President	Jennifer Granholm
Preceded by	Mark Colton Melissa Smith (acting: 2018-2019)
Succeeded by	Elena Dawson (acting)
Chairperson of the New Farmer Labor Parliamentary Group
In office December 1st, 2013 – September 30, 2021
Preceded by	Allan Cranston (LAN)
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Member of the House of Delegates for Edina (Minnesota's 2nd district)
Incumbent
Assumed office April 8th, 2011
Preceded by	Fred Liason
Personal details
Born	(1969-08-12) August 12, 1969 Saint Anthony, Minnesota, Superior
Nationality	Superian
Political party	New Labor (2021–present)
Other political affiliations	Farmer Labor (1987–2021)
Spouse(s)	Abraham Jackson (m. 1989)
Children	3
Education	University of Augustus

Melissa Marie Butler (born August 8th, 1969) is a Superian politician, psychiatrist, and labor rights activist who served as Secretary of Commerce, Labor, and Transportation from 2019 to 2021. A previous lifelong member of the Farmer Labor Party, Butler was the last chair of the left wing New Farmer Labor Parliamentary Group in the House of Delegates before its dissolution and aligns with the party's ideological left. As a member of the House of Delegates, Butler represents southern Saint Anthony, including Bloomington and Richfield. On September 30 2021, Butler declared the formation of the New Labor Party of Superior and has served as its acting leader since its creation.

Born in Saint Anthony, Butler would largely spend most of her childhood growing up in foster care. She would attend and eventually graduate from University of Augustus, receiving a degree in child psychology and welfare. After graduating from university, Butler would become a child and teenage therapist for the Saint Anthony School District, and would directly work with students. Before entering politics, Butler was very politically active, supporting labor rights and working with local labor unions. She would become known locally for her vocal support of the expansion of labor rights. Butler would enter politics in 2011, running and being elected to the House of Delegates as a member of the Farmer Labor Party. As a member of the House of Delegates, Butler has supported socially progressive and left wing legislation, being one of the most left leaning members of the chamber. Butler would be a strong supporter of the legalization of gay marriage, being a co-sponsor of the National Acceptance Act in 2016. She has also been a strong critic of the Harper administration and would frequently criticize the Granholm administration during it's early years. In 2013, Butler would be elected chairperson of the New Farmer Labor Parliamentary Group. In 2019, after the defeat of Melissa Smith (the acting Secretary), Butler would be nominated to the position of Secretary of Commerce, Labor, and Transportation and would narrowly be approved by the High Council in one of the most narrowest confirmation votes in Superian history. Butler would assume the position in July of 2019.

As Secretary of Commerce, Labor, and Transportation, Butler would be the most left-wing member of Granholm's cabinet into her third administration despite Granholm's more moderate center-left ideological stance. She would push through major reforms in regards to labor rights, transportation, and trade policies opposing neoliberal policies, free trade, and outsourcing. Many of these reforms would be pushed through, thouhg reports of undisclosed private conflicts of interest would emerge with rumors of ideological disputes between Butler and the rest of the cabinet, though she has denied these allegations. On September 24 2021, Butler resigned in protest over Atal Bohtar's response to Courtgate accusing him of ignoring geniune reports of corruption and abuse of power within the Executive Mansion and joined the New Farmer Labor Group in issuing a censure against him in a controversial move that has caused division within the party.

Politically, Butler identifies as a social progressive, socialist, and a environmentalist. Butler is a strong supporter of gay marriage, being one of the co-sponsors of the National Acceptance Act, which legalized gay marriage. She is also a supporter of the legalization of most recreational drugs, however supports tough regulations on recreational drug producers to prevent "a youth epidemic", supports the establishment of a single-payer healthcare system and the expansion of labor rights and environmental protections against businesses. Butler is an opponent of any restrictions on abortion and is against reforming the Superian education system, being a supporter of the Common Core initiative. Butler is a critic of the Monarchy of Superior, calling it outdated. However, she has not clearly supported efforts to abolish the institution. On foreign policy, Butler supports the normalization of relations with the United Commonwealth, hoping for a "peaceful resolution" to decades of tense relations between Superior and it's eastern neighbor. She is an opponent of the Conference of American States, which is a contrast to her party, and has campaigned for Superior's withdrawal from the organization. She also opposes Superior's continued membership in NATO and support of military action in the Middle East. All throughout her tenure as a member of parliament, Butler has been the subject of a number of controversies.

Political career

Secretary of Commerce, Labor, and Transportation

Appointment

Butler was appointed by Jennifer Granholm to serve as Secretary Commerce, Labor and Transportation on July 10th, 2019 following the narrow victory of the Progressive Bloc in the 2019 Superian federal election. Her appointment was met with controversy as her left-wing political views, vocal criticisms of the monarchy, and harsh remarks made towards conservative politicians and activists along with her history of controversies resulted in a very divisive response with her appointment being opposed by the United Conservative Party with Francis Leer, High Councilor for Dakota and Council Minority Leader, calling the appointment "absurd and an example of the Granholm government's far left agenda". Many moderate Liberal Democrats took issue to with High Councilor Amari Campbell of Arrowhead voicing her concerns and opposition, however most Liberal Democratic High Councilors stated their intent to approve her nomination along with all six Farmer Labor High Councilors as well.

William Hoover, Liberal Democratic High Councilor for Rochester and President pro tempore, stated that her nomination would recieve a vote in the High Council with the final vote beign held on July 17th where Bulter was voted to serve as the new Transportation and Commerce Secretary winning by a margin of only three votes, the narrowest appointment in the Granhold Cabinet's history and one of the narrowest cabinet appointments in Superian political history. Melissa was sworn in on the same day and stated her intent to work with President Granholm, her cabinet, and other Progressive Bloc MPs regardless of political disagreements to fight for a progressive legislative and political agenda.

Leader of the New Labor Party

Butler held a press conference on September 30, 2021 to announce the formation of the New Labor Party, a left-wing populist and socialist political party dedicated to the same platform and ideology that the New Farmer Labor Group adhered to, the latter of which volunteerily disbanded to form the New Labor Party. The party was made in protest of Atal Bohtar accusing him of compromising on traditional left-wing values by reaffirming support for Jennifer Granholm and dimissing all accusations of corruption, even those by longtime allies such as Minnesota Attorney General George Hargreeves. Butler herself was joined by the eleven other members of the New Farmer Labor Group and former New Farmer Labor MPs as well to announce the party's creation. Butler herself became the party's first leader, but states that she seeks to hold a party leadership election for a formal leader after the next federal election.

On October 14, Butler voted in favor of the vote of no confidence proposed by Isaac Dillon of the United Conservative Party along with the eleven other MPs of the New Labor Party in the House of Delegates. Butler defended her vote stating that it was to ensure accountability and personally believed that Granholm's actions showcased a leader that was reckless, irresponsible, and undeserving of remaining in office as president. After the vote passed the High Council on October 17 and was granted royal assent by William II, Butler stated that she would support expanding and protecting voting rights as one of the few occasions she's willing to support Granholm and stated that she will lead the New Labor Party into the next federal election.

See also

• New Farmer Labor Parliamentary Group
• Left-wing politics in Superior
• African Superians in the Parliament of Superior
• Women in the House of Delegates of Superior