University of Mississippi (B.A. - 1984; J.D. - 1988)
The endorsed protege of four-term AG Mike Moore (1987-2003), Hood easily defeated Republican Scott Newton, a former FBI agent and federal prosecutor, 63%-37%.
Hood worked as Moore's special assistant attorney general for five years before serving two terms as district attorney for the Third Circuit Court District in northern Mississippi (Oxford).
In September 2005, filed a lawsuit against the "insurance industry," including Allstate, State Farm and Nationwide, for refusing to extend their homeowners' policies to cover flood damage caused during Hurricane Katrina.
In July 2006, empowered private plaintiff's attorney Tim Balducci as a "special assistant attorney general" to sue Eli Lilly and Co. over its marketing of the prescription drug Zyprexa.
In October 2006, A state auditor's report said Balducci's law firm pocketed $14 million for its role in a separate Hood lawsuit against telecommunications provider MCI over unpaid back taxes by its predecessor, Worldcom. Formerly Mississippi-based, Worldcom collapsed in July 2002 and allegedly owed the state $1 billion. The case settled for $100 million.
Stated Priorities
Urging investigation by Congress into insurance company practices, seeking national insurance reform
Curb tobacco sales
Crack down on cybercrime, including identity theft
Most of the judges on the New Mexico Court of Appeals get a failing grade when it comes to the "expansion of liability," according to a judicial evaluation report.
