Jody Hice

Jody Brownlow Hice (born April 22, 1960) is an American politician, syndicated radio show host, political activist, and Southern Baptist pastor who is the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 10th congressional district. He was elected in 2014.

Hice is a native of Atlanta and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hice first served as senior pastor of Bethlehem First Baptist Church, until April 2010 in Bethlehem, Georgia. In addition, he served as first vice president of the Georgia Baptist Convention (2004–05) and Professor of Preaching at Luther Rice Seminary. Hice served as senior pastor at The Summit Church, a Southern Baptist church, in Loganville, Georgia from 2011 until December 2013, when he stepped down to run for office.

In September 2008, Hice was one of 33 pastors across America who participated in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday", an effort that challenged an Internal Revenue Service code threatening churches and pastors with loss of tax-exempt status and criminal behavior if they address political issues from the pulpit. In that sermon, Hice endorsed Senator John McCain for President. The IRS never publicly responded to the event, and Pulpit Freedom Sunday has since grown to include over 450 churches. Hice has argued that Christians have been "tricked" into a "false belief" in separation of church and state.

In January 2009, Hice and Aaron Evans (a Christian speaker and media personality from Virginia) launched Hope For America Rallies to educate Americans on the alleged Christian influences in America's founding.

National media outlets have drawn attention to Jody Hice's views on Islam regarding his book, A Call to Reclaim America, in which he claims that Islam is not only a religion, but a geo-political structure and is therefore not deserving of First Amendment protection. Hice, in his book It's Now or Never, also quoted former U.S. general Jerry Boykin as stating that there is a Muslim Brotherhood plot to take over the United States. Boykin has been classified as an anti-Muslim extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Hice has also drawn criticisms from his comments on opposing gay marriage. He particularly drew criticism from an episode of his radio show in which he voiced his concerns about banning conversion therapy. In this show he claimed homosexuality is a choice and is indulging a sinful tendency, much like alcoholism or drug abuse.

Hice's views on gender equality have also invited scrutiny. In a 2004 interview with the Athens Banner-Herald, the largest newspaper in Hice's district, Hice stated that a woman had to be "within the authority of her husband" if she wanted to run for public office.

During the battle between the ACLU and Barrow County, Georgia, regarding the public display of the Ten Commandments in the County Courthouse, Hice was asked by a local radio station to provide weekly updates and to address various other issues. Out of that weekly program was started a daily show, Let Freedom Ring, which was originally heard on WIMO 1300 AM, Bethlehem, Georgia, Monday through Friday. The show is heard on about 400 stations, the show focuses on Constitutional, moral, and religious liberty issues. The show features commentary and interviews with various guests on these topics. The show is now called The Jody Hice Show.

2014 election

The Congressional Seat for Georgia's 10th Congressional District opened up when the sitting representative, Paul Broun, announced his bid for U.S. Senate in 2014. Hice was the second to formally enter the race on April 15, 2013, citing government spending as his foremost concern. Hice was soon joined by 5 other candidates, leading to primary election of 7 for the open seat. Hice placed first in the primary on May 20, 2014 with 34% of the vote, followed closely by his run-off opponent Mike Collins who won 33% of the vote.

With no candidate winning 50% of the vote, a run-off campaign was issued between the top two candidates, Hice and Mike Collins. The close race quickly grew heated amid accusations of campaign sign theft from both sides and reports of supporters being harassed at debates. Hice ultimately won the run-off, grabbing 54% of the vote.

Hice faced a Democratic opponent in November election, which he won in a GOP wave on November 4, 2014.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Federal Lands
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  • Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits and Administrative Rules
  • Subcommittee on National Security

• Killough, Ashley (February 6, 2013). "Georgia Rep. Paul Broun to run for Senate". CNN. 
• Galloway, Jim (April 15, 2013). "Jody Hice enters GOP race to replace Paul Broun". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 
• "Ga Election Results". GA Secretary of State Page. 
• Cochran, Kelsey (July 20, 2014). "Hice, Collins campaign heats up with reports of sign thefts, 'shenanigans'". Athens Banner-Herald. 
• "Georgia – Summary Vote Results". Associated Press. 
• covnews.com, Jody Hice wins seat in U.S. House, November 4, 2014