Hogsett, who was chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party from 2003 to 2004, ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1992, for Congress in 1994 and for attorney general in 2004. Hogsett is from Rushville, Indiana. He received a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Indiana University in 1978, a J.D. from Indiana University in 1981, a master's degree in English from Butler University in 1987, a master's degree in theological studies from the Christian Theological Seminary in 1999 and a master's degree in history from Indiana University in 2007. He was a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana from 2010 to 2014. His resignation was effective July 31, 2014. His professional experience also includes working as an attorney in private practice, including the Bose McKinney & Evans Litigation Group, and serving as secretary of state from 1988 to 1994