ACLU-NJ Announces New Political Advocacy Department, Appoints John Butler as Inaugural Political Director

The ACLU of New Jersey today announced the launch of its new Political Advocacy Department. This change will enable the organization to unite and grow its comprehensive public policy, organizing, and civic engagement portfolios at a key moment for civil rights in history. As part of this move, the organization has appointed John Butler, a seasoned advocate, political operative, and former government lawyer, as its inaugural political director.

“We are witnessing a fundamental shift in New Jersey politics, and the ACLU-NJ is ready for it. We are doing all we can to ensure that our state continues to forge a firewall for freedom for years to come,” said ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha. “I’m proud to launch our Political Advocacy Department so we can set a bold policy and political agenda to deliver even more civil rights victories. John Butler is the right leader at the right time to execute that vision. In this unprecedented moment, as the Trump administration continues to brutalize our communities, under John’s steady leadership, we will build a better future for all who call our state home.”

At its core, the ACLU-NJ's political advocacy department will lead the organization’s legislative and political agenda and mobilize its more than 30,000 members across the state. Unifying these scopes of work will further strengthen the organization’s integrated advocacy model, which has been a driving force for many of the landmark civil rights victories New Jersey has achieved in recent years.

“Having dedicated my career to advocating for inclusive politics, a robust democracy, and forward-thinking criminal legal system reform that benefits real people, joining the ACLU-NJ – an organization at the vanguard of civil rights advocacy – is a defining moment in my life,” said ACLU-NJ Political Director John Butler. “I’m hopeful that in the coming years, we will be able to achieve even more meaningful change to protect and advance fundamental freedoms for all New Jerseyans.”

Before joining the ACLU-NJ as its inaugural political director, Butler most recently served as the director of criminal justice policy for Gov. Phil Murphy, where he led a public policy portfolio focused on criminal legal system reform. Additionally, he oversaw the administration’s harm reduction campaigns, veterans affairs, cannabis policy, election procedures, and homeland security. Butler was also a key developer and leader of the administration’s landmark clemency initiative, which led to 455 people receiving pardons and commutations – more than previous governors have granted in the past thirty years combined.

Prior to his role in the Murphy administration, Butler served as an associate director at the Center for Court Innovation and a senior director at Fair and Just Prosecution where he supported advocacy of evidence-based criminal legal reform. Earlier in his career, Butler worked on political campaigns for President Barack Obama and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Butler is a graduate of Brown University, the London School of Economics, and Stanford Law School.