Forestal Resigns as Marion Sheriff After Senate Win
Kerry Forestal steps down as Marion County Sheriff after being preliminarily elected to the Indiana State Senate.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Kerry Forestal resigned as Marion County Sheriff following his preliminary election to the District 31 Indiana State Senate seat, receiving nearly 58% of the vote. Chief Deputy Reginald Roney has assumed interim sheriff duties.
Why it matters
Indiana's Constitution prohibits holding two lucrative offices, forcing Forestal to vacate the sheriff's post before his state Senate term begins. The vacancy shifts control of Marion County's sheriff's office and sets up a party selection process for a successor.
Preliminary results show Forestal at nearly 58% and Albright at just over 42% in District 31, while Williams won 71.52% of the Marion County sheriff vote over Vaughn's 28.48%. The successor to Forestal's sheriff post has not yet been named, and the results remain preliminary.
The players
Kerry Forestal
Marion County Sheriff who resigned after being preliminarily elected to the Indiana State Senate, representing the Indianapolis-area district.
Kelvis Williams
Preliminarily elected Marion County Sheriff who previously spent 25 years with the Indiana State Police.
Myla Eldridge
Chair of the Marion County Democratic Party who may call a caucus to select Forestal's successor.
Reginald Roney
Marion County Chief Deputy who assumed interim duties of sheriff upon Forestal's resignation.
The details
Forestal's resignation follows the Indiana Constitution's ban on holding two lucrative offices at once. Myla Eldridge, chair of the Marion County Democratic Party, may call a caucus of Democratic Precinct Committee members to choose a successor within 30 days.
Timeline
Nov. 3, 2026: Midterm and primary elections held with preliminary results released.
Day after the election: Forestal's Indiana State Senate term begins.
Within 30 days: Democratic caucus may select Forestal's successor.
Dec. 31, 2026: Forestal's term as Marion County Sheriff ends.
Jan. 1, 2027: Kelvis Williams' term as Marion County Sheriff begins.
Political Context
Indiana's Constitution bars individuals from holding two lucrative offices at the same time, the rule that forced Forestal to leave the sheriff's post. Opposition scrutiny of dual-office holding under this provision is not addressed in the source.
Marion County residents will see a new sheriff take over the county's law enforcement leadership at the start of 2027, with an interim chief deputy in charge until then. The successor to the current sheriff will be chosen by party caucus rather than by voters.
The takeaway
Election-night results can trigger cascading vacancies when officials win offices that the state constitution does not allow them to hold at the same time. Watch for the Marion County Democratic caucus outcome, which will determine who leads the sheriff's office in the interim.
What happens next
Within 30 days, the Marion County Democratic Party may hold a caucus to select Forestal's successor, and Kelvis Williams takes office as sheriff on Jan. 1, 2027.
Further reading
For more on how vacancies and succession are handled, see Elections coverage across Indiana.
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