Jim Hodges

James "Jim" Hovis Hodges ( born November 19, 1956 in Lancaster, South Carolina) is an American politician. He was between 1999 and 2003 Governor of South Carolina.

Early years

James Hodges attended Davidson College and the University of South Carolina. There he studied under law. After his admission to the bar he practiced in Lancaster. He was also attorney for Lancaster County. At the same time he was involved in various private businesses. Between 1987 and 1998 he was eleven years a deputy in the regional parliament of South Carolina. In 1998, he was set up by the Democratic Party for the office of governor. He won the subsequent elections against the incumbent David Muldrow Beasley with 53.3 % of votes. The ablehnde attitude Beasley met him in the question of all-day Kingergärten. With Beasley for the first time since 1876, an Acting Governor was voted out.

Governor of South Carolina

During his tenure Hodges promoted the education policy. He founded a state lottery, from whose profit of about one billion dollars new schools were built and the care of the children could be improved in preschool. Nevertheless, the governor could not solve all the problems in the field of education policy. In connection with his management during the hurricane "Floyd " in 1999, the governor came under pressure. He was accused of organizational error in preparation for the storm. In 2002, Hodges was running for re-election, but he lost to his Republican rival candidate Mark Sanford.

Further CV

Since the end of his term Hodges is chairman of Hodges Consulting Group, a privately held company with offices in Columbia, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. This company advises its clients in dealing with public authorities and provides assistance in difficult business situations. During the presidential campaign of 2008, Hodges supported the Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Hodges lives with his wife Rachel and their two children in Columbia.