Kara Ramos
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
Former Dougherty County District Attorney Ken Hodges visited Valdosta Wednesday and Thursday, attending fundraising events as part of his tour across the state.
Following his visit to Valdosta, Hodges attended a meeting with campaign supporters at the Albany Rotary Club Thursday evening. Over the weekend, he will attend campaign events in Atlanta.
“(I will) try to get the message out,” said Hodges, Democratic candidate for state Attorney General. “(I want voters to know) I’m not a politician, I’m a prosecutor.”
Hodges faces Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens, a Republican, as well as Don Smart, an Independent, in the Nov. 2 general election.
While campaigning, Hodges has received support from many local and state representatives, law enforcement officers, teachers, professionals, and business people.
“I’ve got great bipartisan support,” he said.
Born and raised in Albany, Hodges wants to represent all of Georgia.
“I will never do anything at the expense of South Georgia,” he said. “I’m going to be an attorney general for all of Georgia, not just Atlanta.”
Three goals that Hodges has for Georgia are to improve public safety, ensure the prosecution of corrupt public officials, and increase fiscal responsibility.
“I’ve got a history of standing up against public prosecution,” he said. “We need an attorney general (that has) protected the public against corrupt people ... (I’ll be) standing up on behalf of victims, standing up on behalf of people that need our help.”
Hodges wants to see state laws enforced, a thorough investigation when dealing with death penalty cases, and justice for victims.
He also supports a faster justice system.
“We need to speed up the process because it costs the taxpayers too much money right now,” he said.
He does not want to further lay off or furlough public officers and would like to see predatory lenders that violate the law and take advantage of people leave Georgia.
“Taking advantage of economic plight ... it’s criminal and morally wrong,” he said.
When it comes to enforcing the law, Hodges said, the law should apply to everyone equally.
“No one is too big to be above the law, and no one is too small” to receive help from the justice system, he said.
Hodges feels the race for attorney general should be a bipartisan race and that voters should decide based on the issues.
“There’s nothing Democratic or Republican about enforcing the law,” he said. “What people need to focus on is who is best qualified for the job and who’s going to focus on the issues ... I want you (voters) to look at me and my qualifications and see if that’s what you want.”
For more information on Ken Hodges, visit his website at www.kenhodges.com.
