Paul Hodes

Paul William Hodes (born March 21, 1951) is an American attorney, musician, and former U.S. Representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district, serving from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was New Hampshire's first Jewish representative.

Hodes was an unsuccessful candidate for the Senate seat being vacated by Judd Gregg in 2010, losing to former New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte. He left Congress in January 2011 and was replaced by Charles Bass. In 2011, Hodes was named as a board member of the Public Advisory Board of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. Hodes has joined the boards of ADL, New England and the NJDC (National Jewish Democratic Council). Since 2011, Hodes has served as President of the Economic Innovation Institute, a political advocacy organization. He is also a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One.

Early life, education and career

Hodes was born in New York City in 1951, the son of Florence R. (née Rosenberg) and Robert Bernard Hodes. His ancestors were Jewish immigrants from Russia, Poland, and Austria. Hodes graduated from The Collegiate School in 1968 and from Dartmouth College in 1972. At Dartmouth, Hodes majored in French and Theater. In the fall of 1971, Hodes spent a semester studying theater at the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT. In 1978, Hodes graduated from Boston College Law School.

Arts and entertainment career

Hodes began playing guitar at age 15. Throughout his adult life, he has been both a performer and active member of the arts and entertainment communities. After graduating from Dartmouth College, Hodes spent three years acting, writing, and working on radio shows. While in law school, he acted in the Boston Arts Group . In the 1990s, Hodes was instrumental in the creation of the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, and previously served on the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. In 2012, President Obama appointed Hodes to the National Council for the Arts which advises the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition to re-invigorating his performing career, Hodes now manages musical acts including Hawk & Dove, Black Cosmic and Larksong trio through Big Round Music, LLC.

Hodes's wife Peggo is an award-winning children's musician with whom Hodes has recorded and performed as "Paul & Peggo." The couple won the 1996 Parent's Choice Honors Award for their album "Patchwork Quilt" and performed at the White House.

Law career

Hodes worked as an attorney with the New Hampshire Department of Justice from 1978 until 1980. He was an Assistant Attorney General from 1980 until 1982, when he left to serve as a special prosecutor. From 1983 until 1996 he was in private practice. He is now of Counsel to the firm of Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. in Concord, New Hampshire.

U.S. House of Representatives

Committee assignments

• Committee on Financial Services
  • Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
  • Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  • Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement
  • Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs

Other membership and leadership positions

• American-Canadian Inter-Parliamentary Working Group
• President of the freshman class of 2006
• Board Member, Capitol Center for the Arts, 1990–1996, 2002–present
• Board Member, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, 1998–present
• Board Member, New Hampshire Children's Alliance, 1998–2000
• Board Chair, Capitol Center for the Arts, 1990–1996

Political positions

In September 2008, Hodes voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, also known as "the financial bailout bill", which enacted the Troubled Asset Relief Program ("TARP").

He voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act (commonly referred to as "cap and trade"), as well as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Hodes was one of the first Democrats to demand that Representative Charlie Rangel surrender his Ways and Means chairmanship in the wake of the Ethics Committee finding that he violated House rules.

Political campaigns

2004 U.S. House campaign

Hodes ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for United States House of Representatives in 2004 against incumbent Charles Bass in New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district.

2006 U.S. House campaign

In a rematch held on November 7, 2006, Hodes defeated Bass 53% to 46%.

2008 U.S. House campaign

In 2008, Hodes was re-elected winning with approximately 56% of the vote.

Hodes endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary.

2010 U.S. Senate campaign

Hodes was chosen as the Democratic nominee for the Senate seat held by outgoing Republican Senator Judd Gregg, who did not seek re-election. Hodes was defeated by Republican nominee Kelly Ayotte, the former New Hampshire Attorney General. Libertarian Ken Blevens and Independent Chris Booth were also on the ballot.

Post-electoral career

On February 16, 2019, Hodes joined the presidential campaign of Democratic candidate Marianne Williamson as a senior campaign advisor and New Hampshire state director.

Electoral history

Personal life

Hodes and his wife Peggo live in Concord, New Hampshire. They have two children, Max and Ariana.