In 2023, he was a candidate in the 2024 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election but withdrew before the primary, citing ill health.

[5] In 1976 , he ran for State Representative in the 170th State House district in the Democratic primary losing to Kenneth Hager 3910 to 2151 with Venita Nagel coming in third with 1185 votes( Pennsylvania Manual volume 103 page 684 ) Butkovitz graduated from Temple University and earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Temple University School of Law.

Prior to holding elected office, Butkovitz was a Philadelphia attorney handling civil, criminal and environmental coverage cases.

In 1980, he won a first amendment case in U.S District Court Third Circuit that opened up the Mummers Parade to women, minorities, and new entrants.

[7] During his first term, Butkovitz fought against his party's leadership to successfully repeal a tax requiring senior citizens to include social security, pensions, and veteran's benefits as taxable income.