Jim Hodges
| Jim Hodges | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 114th Governor of South Carolina | |
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In office January 13, 1999 – January 15, 2003 |
|
| Lieutenant | Bob Peeler |
| Preceded by | David Beasley |
| Succeeded by | Mark Sanford |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 45th district |
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In office December 2, 1986 – December 5, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Tom Gibson Mangum |
| Succeeded by | Eldridge Emory |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Hovis Hodges November 19, 1956 Lancaster, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Rachel |
| Children | Luke Sam |
| Alma mater |
Davidson College University of South Carolina, Columbia |
| Religion | Methodism |
James Hovis "Jim" Hodges (born November 19, 1956) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 114th Governor of South Carolina from 1999 to 2003. Hodges is the only Democrat to serve as governor since 1987.
James Hovis Hodges grew up in Lancaster, South Carolina, near the North Carolina border. He attended Davidson College and transferred to the University of South Carolina, where he graduated with a BSBA in 1979. During his undergraduate studies, Hodges worked summers at a cotton mill to pay for his schooling.
In 1982, Hodges earned a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law. From 1983 to 1986, Hodges served as Lancaster County Attorney.
At age 30, Hodges first won an election in a December 1986 special election for the 45th district seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives vacated by the late Tom Mangum. 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.
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce named Hodges "Legislator of the Year" in 1993, and the National Federation of Independent Business bestowed Hodges with its "Guardian of Small Business" award.
While serving in the state legislature, Hodges also worked as general counsel for The Springs Company.
Hodges entered the 1998 gubernatorial election in South Carolina an underdog but took advantage of controversy and missteps by incumbent Republican governor David Beasley, namely Beasley's indecisiveness on allowing a Confederate flag to fly at the state capitol and call to eliminate video poker. Donations from video gambling interests helped Beasley narrow a near million-dollar fundraising gap with Beasley.
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