Indiana’s north‑side Senate District 31 is shaping up as one of the state’s most competitive races this election cycle. After state Rep. Kyle Walker announced he would not seek re‑election, a crowded primary left two candidates standing: Republican Juanita Albright, a school board member and internal‑medicine doctor at Ascension St. Vincent, and Democrat Kerry Forestal, the long‑time sheriff of Marion County.
Fundraising snapshot
Both campaigns have raised comparable sums. Albright reported about $70,000 cash on hand at the April 17 filing deadline and has added roughly $15,000 since then, according to campaign finance records. Forestal entered the filing deadline with just over $55,000 and has since taken in $27,600 in new contributions. The tight fundraising picture reflects the district’s newly drawn boundaries and the belief among both parties that the seat could be winnable.
Geography and recent history
The district covers a portion of northeast Marion County, the Geist Reservoir area and the city of Fishers. While Republicans have held the seat for decades, redistricting after the 2020 Census has made the race more fluid. Walker won the seat by 10 points in 2022, and his predecessor, former Sen. Jim Merritt, secured it by less than four points in 2018 under the old map.
Candidate backgrounds
Albright, 58, grew up in northern Indiana and moved to central Indiana after earning her medical degree from Penn State College of Medicine. She has practiced medicine in Fishers for more than twenty years and served on the Hamilton Southeastern school board since 2022, where she helped lead a conservative bloc opposing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. She was board president in 2024‑2025 and describes herself as a moderate who wants “both parties to come together to the middle.”
Forestal, 70, is concluding his second term as Marion County sheriff, a position limited to two terms. A former U.S. marshal, he emphasizes lowering health‑care costs, making child‑care affordable and holding utility companies accountable. He also stresses the importance of adequately funding schools and raising the minimum teacher salary, arguing that educators “should be paid first.”
Policy priorities
Albright says she would work to attract more primary‑care physicians to address the shortage of doctors and push for greater price transparency from hospitals. She likens the need for cost estimates to the way she receives a repair quote for her car before an MRI is ordered for a patient.
On property taxes, Albright notes that while many constituents worry about high rates, they also rely on property taxes to fund roads, schools and police. She calls for a balanced approach that replaces any eliminated taxes with reliable revenue sources.
Forestal’s platform focuses on public safety, including tighter regulations on sex offenders and reforms to ensure that offenders convicted elsewhere are not released into Marion County without proper oversight. He also advocates for an immigration system that protects the nation’s borders while respecting due process and human dignity.
Endorsements and voter sentiment
Albright has secured endorsements from Sen. Jim Banks, Gov. Mike Braun, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indiana Right to Life. Forestal is backed by the Indiana AFL‑CIO, IBEW Local 481 and the Indiana State Teachers Association.
When asked about President Donald Trump’s influence on the race, Albright said she does not answer to any one person and wants voters to judge her on her own record and character.
Election details
Early voting began on Oct. 6, and the general election is set for Nov. 3. Voters can find additional candidate information in Mirror Indy’s voter guide.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
