Democratic 1st District Congressman Butterfield announced Thursday that he won't seek re-election and intends to retire at the end of his term in December 2022.

The announcement confirms plans he privately told staffers on Wednesday.

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"It is time for me to retire and allow the torch to be passed to someone who shares the values of the district and can continue the work I have labored so hard [on] for the past 18 years," Butterfield said in a video posted on YouTube by his congressional office.

Changes to the 1st District that will take effect in the 2022 election appear to have played a role in his decision. The Republican-controlled General Assembly recently approved new congressional and legislative district maps that make the district in northeast North Carolina, which will become the 2nd Congressional District, more friendly to a Republican candidate.

Caswell, Person, Granville and Franklin counties, which former President Donald Trump carried in 2020, have been added to the district, while Gates and Pitt counties were shifted out.

"The map that was recently enacted by the legislature is a partisan map. It's racially gerrymandered, [and] it will disadvantage African American communities all across the 1st Congressional District," Butterfield said in his video. "I am disappointed, terribly disappointed, with the Republican majority legislature for again gerrymandering our state's congressional districts and putting their party politics over the best interests of North Carolinians."

"I think it’s very advantageous for Republicans," said David McLennan, a political science professor at Meredith College, in Raleigh. "Shifting two or three counties that were evenly divided or Democratic-leaning to Republican-leaning districts, that’s a gap that could be easily made up, particularly in a good year for Republicans."

Butterfield, who said he expects courts to force lawmakers to redraw the congressional map, won re-election last year by 29,000 votes in a district of 750,000 people.

No Republicans have announced plans to run for the new 2nd District seat, but Erica Smith, a former state senator who's now running for U.S. Senate next year is "seriously considering" a run for it instead.

"Elected officials and community leaders have been reaching out and urging Senator Smith to run. She appreciates the support and enthusiasm and is seriously considering running in NC-02," her campaign said in an email to WRAL News.

McLennan said voters can expect to see a crowded, competitive field on both sides of the aisle.

The 1st District has been represented by a Black Democrat since the early 1990s.

Butterfield, 74, went to Congress in July 2004, when he won a special election to succeed Congressman Frank Ballance, who resigned amid a corruption investigation.

During his time in office, Butterfield has been a staunch supporter of civil rights, affordable health care, investment in rural communities and the nation's veterans.

He also led the Congressional Black Caucus for two years and has served as senior chief deputy whip for House Democrats.

"I am proud of my work in Congress on behalf of my constituents, and I know that my life's work of fighting for greater fairness and equity will not cease, even after the close of the 117th Congress," he said. "Serving my community, my state and my country has been one of the greatest privileges for which I will be forever grateful."

"Whoever replaces him, maybe they will be like him [and] do good things for the people," Wilson resident Norman Hairston said."

Democratic 2nd District Congresswoman Deborah Ross said Butterfield leaves "a formidable legacy of achievement."

"Congressman Butterfield has always cared deeply about the people of eastern North Carolina. Even as he rose through the ranks in Congress, G.K. was unrelenting in this determination to improve the lives of the constituents he was so proud to represent," Ross said in a statement.

"Congressman Butterfield has done a wonderful job representing the people of North Carolina. He's going to be missed, no question," Gov. Roy Cooper said.

Respect for Butterfield crossed party lines.

"For nearly two decades, Rep. Butterfield has diligently served eastern North Carolina with character and honor," Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr said in a statement.

"Rep. G.K. Butterfield has been a key member of the North Carolina delegation, and he will be missed," Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis said in a statement.

Not all Republicans shared that view, however.

"Him and his party has led us down a path of deficits, inflation [and] higher gas prices," Gates County Republican Party Chairman Thomas Hill said.

Prior to heading to Congress, Butterfield was a lawyer, a Superior Court judge and an associate justice on the state Supreme Court.

His announcement comes about a month after Democratic 4th District Congressman David Price announced next year would be his last in office. He has represented the Triangle in the U.S. House for all but two years since 1987.

Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, who has been in the Senate since 2005 and previously served in the U.S. House, also plans to retire at the end of 2022.

"While the challenges our nation faces are great, I am confident that our best days are yet ahead," Butterfield said.