Modia Butler

Modia "Mo" Butler (born July 8, 1973), a Democratic strategist and public affairs executive, is a Managing Director at Mercury Public Affairs, LLC, a leading national, bipartisan public affairs firm. Butler previously served as Chief of Staff to United States Senator Cory Booker. Butler is ranked 29th in PolitickerNJ's Power List of 100 most influential people in New Jersey.

In 1995, Butler graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a B.A. in Political Science. Butler received his Master's degree in Public Policy from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University – New Brunswick.

From 1999 to 2003, Butler served as the Executive Director of Newark Do Something, an after-school program that promotes youth development. In 2003, Butler became the Executive Director of Newark Now, a grassroots nonprofit organization started by U.S. Senator Cory Booker. In 2006, Butler joined the Board of Commissioners at the Newark Housing Authority, serving as Chairman until 2015. Under his leadership, the Newark Housing Authority was removed from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s "troubled list".

In 2008, Butler was named Chief of Staff to former Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Cory Booker. Butler appeared on multiple episodes of Brick City, a series that was broadcast on the Sundance Channel and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2010.

Butler resides in Newark, New Jersey and has one daughter.