While George Bush was turning his back on middle-class families and running our country into the ground with his reckless economic policies, Paul Hodes ran for Congress. Sick of seeing Washington do nothing but talk while Americans were suffering, Paul promised to be an independent voice for New Hampshire. For four years, he has stood up and delivered on that promise.
"I opposed the bailout because it was wrong. I led the fight to get rid of wasteful earmarks because they corrupt our system and waste our money . I'm proud to say that I'll support my party and my President when they are right but, I'll be the first one to say when they are wrong. Because, after all, you don't elect us to serve our own parties or to serve the special interests, you elect us to serve you and do what's right-not just what's easy or popular. "
Known for reaching across the partisan aisle to get results, Paul has fought tirelessly against Wall Street executives, health insurance companies, corporate lobbyists and other special interests that have consistently gotten in the way of meaningful change. In Congress, Paul has focused on job creation, on health care reform that benefits us-- not the big insurance companies--and on giving our veterans the benefits they have earned and the respect that they deserve. The results Paul got for his constituents led to his overwhelming re-election in 2008.
A graduate of Dartmouth College and Boston College Law School, Paul was offered the opportunity to serve in the state Attorney General David Souter's office. Souter asked Paul to join the criminal justice division where he thought Paul would fight to make a real difference and that's exactly what Paul did.
After his tenure as an Assistant Attorney General, Paul continued serving the Granite State as the Special Prosecutor for the State of New Hampshire. There, he took on tough, high-profile prosecutions, including the first successful prosecution against polluters. He vigorously prosecuted both white-collar fraud cases and a series of successful homicide prosecutions that led to dangerous criminals being put behind bars.
After leaving the Attorney General's office Paul went into private practice, but he never stopped serving his community. He served as a New Hampshire State Councilor for the Arts, first appointed by then-Governor Jeanne Shaheen. As Chairman of the Board of the Capitol Center for the Arts from 1990-1996 and then again as a member of the board from 2002-2006, Paul helped lead the Concord community's efforts to create a premiere, award-winning performing arts institution which now serves as an important economic engine for the city.
While in Congress, Paul has:
"Changing Washington isn't easy, but when I ran for office I said I'd bring my backbone with me and I've done exactly that. As your next Senator, I won't hesitate to take on anyone who stands in theway of the change we need. Middle-class families can't wait anymore for Washington politicians to stop the fighting and start the solving. I will be a loud and proud voice for the Independent, results-driven leadership that New Hampshire residents expect and deserve."
Paul has been married for 31 years to Peggo Horstmann Hodes, and they raised their two children, Max and Ariana, in the Granite State.
