Early Career
James Hovis Hodges grew up in Lancaster, South Carolina, near the North Carolina border. He attended Davidson College and then the University of South Carolina, where he graduated with a business degree in 1979. Later, Hodges earned a juris doctor degree from the USC School of Law in 1982. After graduation, Hodges resettled in Lancaster to practice law. He became Lancaster County Attorney. In 1986 he started his political career at the age of 29 with a successful bid for the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Hodges remained in the State House for eleven years, garnering the support of the National Federation of Independent Business and the National Rifle Association with his conservative voting record. While in the House, Hodges served as chair of the House Judiciary Committee from 1992 until 1994, and as House Democratic Leader from 1995 until 1997.
When Hodges ran for governor in 1998, it was as an underdog against his Republican opponent, incumbent governor David Beasley.
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