1990 Indiana Secretary of State election

1990 Indiana Secretary of State election

November 6, 1990

Nominee Joe Hogsett William H. Hudnut III Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 775,163 719,314 Percentage 51.83% 48.10%

County results Hogsett:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Hudnut:      50–60%      60–70%

Secretary of State before election Joe Hogsett Democratic Elected Secretary of State Joe Hogsett Democratic

The 1990 Indiana Secretary of State election was held on November 6, 1990, to elect the Secretary of State of Indiana. Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett, who was appointed to the office in 1989 by previous secretary Evan Bayh following his resignation to take office after winning the 1988 Indiana gubernatorial election, won election to a full term, narrowly defeating Republican Mayor of Indianapolis William H. Hudnut III by three percentage points.

As of 2026, this election is the last time a Democrat has been elected Secretary of State of Indiana.

General election

Candidates

• Joe Hogsett, incumbent Secretary of State of Indiana (1989–1994) (Democratic)
• William H. Hudnut III, Mayor of Indianapolis (1976–1992) (Republican)
• Theosie Nunn (Write-in)

Results

1990 Indiana Secretary of State election results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Joe Hogsett	775,163	51.83%	−1.45
	Republican	William H. Hudnut III	719,314	48.10%	+2.7
	Write-In	Theosie Nunn	971	0.06%	N/A
Total votes			1,495,448	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. "1990 Secretary of State General Election Results - Indiana". US Election Atlas. Retrieved December 14, 2025.