in 1986, democratic gubernatorial candidate alexander farrelly persuaded hodge to leave the senate and become his running mate for lieutenant governor in the election. farrelly and hodge defeated the republican julio brady and won the election in november 1986. they were sworn in as governor and lieutenant governor of the u.s. virgin islands on january 5, 1987. both were re-elected to a second term in 1990, defeating former virgin islands governor juan francisco luis.