Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal Announces Candidacy for Indiana State Senate District 31

Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal files to run Indiana State Senator

Indianapolis, IN – In a significant development for Indiana politics, Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal has officially announced his candidacy for the Indiana State Senate in District 31. The announcement, made in mid-December 2025, comes as Forestal faces term limits in his current role and seeks to transition his long career in public safety and law enforcement to the legislative arena.Forestal, a Democrat, will run for the open seat in Senate District 31, which covers parts of northeastern Marion County, including portions of Indianapolis, as well as areas in Hamilton County such as Fishers, and extends into Hancock County. The district is considered one of the state's more competitive Senate districts. It is currently represented by Republican Sen. Kyle Walker, who announced earlier in December 2025 that he would not seek reelection for a second full term. Forestal's announcement highlights his extensive background in law enforcement, which spans nearly five decades. He began his career as a patrol deputy in Marion County in 1977 and rose through the ranks at the Marion County Sheriff's Office. In 2010, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Indiana, a role in which he oversaw federal law enforcement operations across 62 counties.

Elected sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022, Forestal has led the office through his current term. Due to term limits preventing a third consecutive term, he will continue serving as sheriff through 2026 while campaigning for the Senate seat. The election is scheduled for November 2026, with primaries expected in the spring.In his campaign launch statement, Forestal emphasized a commitment to everyday issues facing Hoosier families. "My neighbors in District 31 deserve to know that their voice in the State Senate will fight every single day to make their lives better — from bringing down the cost of utilities, healthcare, and groceries, to keeping our communities safe," he said. "I’m the person to do just that."Forestal's platform draws heavily on his experience in public safety, including his advocacy for evidence-based violence prevention programs and a "common-sense approach" to issues like mental health and addiction services—challenges he has addressed while managing operations at the Marion County Jail, often described as Indiana's largest mental health facility.The race for District 31 is poised to be competitive, given its recent electoral history.

In 2022, Sen. Walker won with approximately 55% of the vote against Democrat Jocelyn Vare. The district's mix of suburban and urban areas, including growing communities like Fishers, makes it a key battleground for both parties.Forestal's entry into the race also sets the stage for an open contest for the Marion County Sheriff's Office in 2026. Several candidates have already announced intentions to run for that position, including Democrat Kelvis Williams and Republican Gregory Patrick, a longtime captain in the sheriff's office. As the 2026 election cycle heats up, Forestal's candidacy brings a prominent local figure with deep roots in the community— he lives in the district with his wife Kathy, near their three children and nine grandchildren—into a higher-profile statewide role.

His campaign will likely focus on bridging his law enforcement credentials with economic relief and public safety priorities to appeal to voters in this pivotal district.Voters in District 31 will have the opportunity to weigh Forestal's decades of service against other potential challengers as filing deadlines and the primary season approach.