He represented Burgeo and La Poile in the Newfoundland House of Assembly from 1962 to 1971.
He taught school for 33 years, mainly in small communities on Newfoundland's south shore; Hodder also provided first aid and medical advice when the district nurse was not available.
He was principal of elementary and high schools in Port aux Basques.
He served as president of the local branches for the Newfoundland Teachers' Association and the Red Cross.
[1] He was elected to the town council for Channel-Port aux Basques in 1956 and served as mayor from 1958 to 1962.