Brad Hochgesang

Brad Hochgesang earned a high school diploma from Jasper High School and a bachelor's degree from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. His career experience includes working as a software developer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Software engineer. Small business owner. Your neighbor. Running to bring accountability and data-driven, constituent-first representation to southwest Indiana.

I moved back to Jasper in 2023. Within months, I learned a billion-dollar highway was being pushed through our county — and almost nobody knew about it. The more I dug, the worse it got: no real public input, manipulated polling, costs that didn’t add up.

So I did what I do. I pulled the data. I commissioned a real poll — 636 registered voters, conducted by a professional firm. The result: 81% of Dubois County opposed the project. Not a slim margin. Not ambiguous. Eighty-one percent.

I organized ten town halls across the county. I spoke at council meetings. I presented the numbers and asked for a vote.

That’s why I’m running. Not because I’ve always wanted to be a politician — I haven’t. Because the people of District 48 deserve someone who will do the homework, ask the hard questions, and fight for them.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Accountability. Without someone to hold them accountable, our current state leaders aren't listening to the very people they are supposed to represent.District first. Accountability over party. Local control. Transparent decisions. This isn’t a partisan race—it’s a referendum on whether voters are heard.Local representation. I grew up here, came back to build a life here, and when issues have come up, I have stepped in to help lead the response—bringing people together across the district.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Property taxes & spending: Your taxes should fund your community — not billion-dollar boondoggles. I'll fight for transparent budgets and accountable spending.

Infrastructure Done Right: Our roads, bridges, and broadband need real investment — not political pet projects. Data should drive where every dollar goes.

Housing Affordability: Young families can't stay if there's nowhere to live. We need smart housing policy that builds communities, not just developments.

Utility Costs: Indiana has the steepest electric rate increases in the country. Utility CEOs earn $18 million while 174,000 households get disconnected.