Civil Rights Leader, Former Atlanta Mayor Endorses Ken Hodges for AG

Today Ambassador Andrew Young, former Atlanta Mayor and an icon of the civil rights movement, announced his endorsement of former Albany District Attorney Ken Hodges in the campaign for the office of Attorney General of Georgia. “I am proud to stand with Ken Hodges in his efforts to become the state of Georgia's top law enforcement official and chief prosecutor,” said Ambassador Young. “The people of this state need an Attorney General who has a demonstrated commitment to preserving our civil rights while seeking justice for all Georgians--not just the wealthy or the powerful. As Attorney General, Ken Hodges will continue to do just that.”

Ambassador Young first met Ken Hodges when he was invited by Hodges to serve as the keynote speaker at the annual Martin Luther King Celebration in Albany, Georgia in 2006. Ambassador Young recalls, “I was impressed with his dedication to civil rights issues and his obvious commitment to seeking justice for victims of crime.”

“I thank Ambassador Young for his commitment to this campaign to fight for a safer Georgia,” remarked Hodges. “I have been waging a war on gangs for more than a decade and recently, Ambassador Young‟s efforts to educate Georgia‟s youth on the danger of gangs and guns through his film „Walking with Guns‟, has reunited us in pursuit of a common goal.”

“Ken Hodges has demonstrated his commitment to equal rights and the fair application of justice during his years of service in Albany,” added Ambassador Young. “As an experienced District Attorney, Ken developed successful diversionary programs that still today keep our at-risk young people in school and out of prison. And, he's fought for Georgia families by keeping guns off the street and taking on unscrupulous predatory lenders.”

Andrew Young was elected to Congress in 1972, and served until he was appointed as the Ambassador to the United Nations by President Jimmy Carter, thereby becoming the first African American to serve in that role. He was elected Mayor of Atlanta in 1981, and reelected in 1985. Prior to seeking elected office, Young served in a prominent role during the struggles for civil and voting rights during the 1960s, holding the position of Executive Director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conferences. Ambassador Young continues his legacy of service today
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Ken Hodges (D) served for 12 years as Albany's District Attorney, earning distinction as President of the Georgia District Attorneys Association and Chairman of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia. He has been named Georgia‟s District Attorney of the Year and earned the State Bar of Georgia‟s Justice Robert Benham Community Service Award. His efforts protecting and defending victims of crime was recognized by the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council‟s Eagle Award in 2004, one of the highest honors a prosecutor can receive. He announced he would seek the office of Attorney General earlier this year.