sc_gov_HODGES
FORMER STATE REP. JIM HODGES
Age: 41 Born: November 19, 1956, Lancaster County, South Carolina Education: University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D. (1982); University of South Carolina, B.A. (1979) Military: None Family: Married - Rachel; Two children Hometown: Lancaster, South Carolina Religion: Methodist Career: General Counsel, The Springs Company (1990-present); SC House Minority Leader (1995-97); SC State Representative (1986-97); Lancaster County Attorney (1983-86) |
• Hodges was born and raised in Lancaster County, South Carolina. As a young man, he worked in the local cotton mill. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a business degree in 1979 and continued on to law school at the same university.
• Fresh out of law school in 1982, Hodges entered private practice. Just one year out, he was appointed Lancaster County Attorney. He served in that position from 1983-86.
• In 1986, Hodges ran and won a seat in the state legislature. He sat on the House Judiciary Committee, where he served as chairman from 1992-94. During his 11 years in the state legislature, Hodges was honored by various groups, including being named Legislator of the Year by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and by the South Carolina Council on Aging.
• After the GOP gained control of the legislature in 1994, Hodges lost his chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee, but in 1995, he became House Democratic Leader.
• Hodges resigned from the state legislature at the end of the 1997 session to run for governor. He is currently General Counsel to The Springs Company, one of South CarolinaÂ's largest private companies with real estate, financial services, railroad and other interests. He faced no opposition in the Democratic primary.