U.S. Senator Jim Banks has endorsed Fishers physician and former school board leader Dr. Juanita Albright in the Republican primary for Indiana State Senate District 31.

Albright announced the endorsement in a campaign statement released this week. Banks, a Republican, said in the statement that he supports Albright’s candidacy for the open Senate seat.

Albright, a Fishers physician, previously served multiple terms as president of the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees. She launched her campaign after incumbent Kyle Walker announced he would not seek reelection in 2026.

The Senate District 31 seat covers portions of northeastern Marion County as well as parts of Fishers in Hamilton County and nearby areas.

Albright said the endorsement adds to support her campaign has already received from several organizations, including Americans for Prosperity, the Indiana State Police Alliance and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

The Republican primary for the seat is shaping up as a multi-candidate race. Other Republicans who have entered the primary include:

• Tiffanie Ditlevson, an at-large member of the Fishers City Council.
• Jan Keefer, an attorney from the Lawrence Township area.

The winners of the May 5, 2026 primary elections will advance to the general election in November.

On the Democratic side, three candidates have filed for the nomination: Kerry Forestal, Lasima Packett and Catherine Torzewski.

The Senate District 31 race opened after Walker announced he would not run for another term. The district has been represented by Walker since 2020.