Previous to his service in Congress, Representative Rokita served as Indiana’s Secretary of State. As Secretary he effectively redefined and modernized the Secretary of State’s office to provide Hoosier investors, businesses, and voters vastly better service and to promote Indiana’s economic vitality and prosperity for the future. As a Member of Congress he is committed to ensuring an open, collaborative approach to government. Congressman Rokita has earned praise from across Indiana and beyond due to his leadership in the areas of election reform, combating investment fraud and other white collar crimes, civic involvement, and establishing Indiana as a vibrant economic force in a global economy.

In recognition of then-Secretary Rokita’s leadership as an e-government pioneer, the National Federation of Independent Business named him the 2006 Small Business Statesman of the Year. His office was given the "Award of Merit" by the International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA) in both 2008 and 2010. And in 2008, the Indianapolis Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) awarded him the 2008 Indianapolis Choice Award for helping women achieve their potential, improving the business climate for women, and helping women fulfill the potential of their economic and social contributions to Indiana.

As former chair and ex-officio member of the Business Law Survey Commission, Congressman Rokita worked with leading private sector attorneys, professors, and corporate leaders to modernize and streamline Indiana's business laws to keep pace with the changing nature of commerce.

Secretary Rokita also created Indiana Investment Watch. The program is the first statewide investor education program to teach Hoosiers how to be smarter and safer investors by avoiding pitfalls created by scam artists. For his efforts, the Indiana Council for Economic Education (ICEE) awarded him the 2010 Paul Samuelson Enterprise Award for Community Leaders

He was chosen by his fellow Secretaries of State to lead them as President of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) from 2007 – 2008. He has advised the federal government on election reform matters as a member of the Board of Advisors of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

In August 2010, Congressman Rokita was awarded the Friend of Foreign Service Medal by the Taiwanese government, which recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to the relations between Taiwan and the United States.

Congressman Rokita serves on the boards for St. Joseph’s College of Indiana and the St. Vincent Foundation. He is a member of the Director's Circle of the Indiana Council for Economic Education, the Indiana State Bar, the Knights of Columbus, the National Rifle Association, and Employers in Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). He is a supporter of state and national Right to Life networks. He is a commercial-rated pilot and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Civil Air Patrol. Congressman Rokita also volunteers flight time to transport people in need of non-emergency medical care to Midwest hospitals and clinics for treatment.

In 2005, he was selected by The Council of State Governments to participate in the prestigious Toll Fellowship Program, and in 2006 was one of 23 leaders selected to participate in the Aspen-Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership, a program that recognizes the nation’s top younger elected officials.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash College, where he had the distinction of being an Eli Lilly Fellow, he went on to obtain a law degree from the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis. After law school, he worked as a practicing attorney for several years before serving as General Counsel to former Indiana Secretary of State Sue Anne Gilroy and later as Deputy Secretary of State.

Congressman Rokita and his wife Kathy welcomed their first child, Theodore James Rokita, in February of 2008 and their second son, Ryan Cooper Rokita, in February of 2010. The family resides on Indianapolis' west side and worships at St. Mary Parish. Secretary Rokita is also a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Munster.