Kentucky Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Daniel Grossberg, has been accused of sexual harassment by several women, leading to calls for his resignation. Governor Andy Beshear has urged Grossberg to consider resigning, as he has been temporarily suspended from the House Democratic caucus and removed from his interim committee assignments. The allegations against Grossberg include inappropriate conduct such as sending inappropriate text messages and late-night messages to women. The lawmaker and his attorney deny the allegations and insist that he will continue to serve his constituents.
Despite denying the allegations, Grossberg has faced increasing pressure to step down. The Louisville Democratic Party’s executive committee has requested that he temporarily refrain from attending events or meetings amid the investigation. Governor Beshear also weighed in on the matter, stating that Grossberg should consider whether holding public office is appropriate for him at this time. The allegations against Grossberg first came to light in reports by the Lexington Herald-Leader, with three women initially coming forward with their experiences. Since then, more women have come forward with similar allegations against the lawmaker.
A group for young Democrats in Kentucky has also called for Grossberg to resign, further adding to the pressure on the embattled lawmaker. The allegations against Grossberg include inappropriate, harassing, or sexually-tinged messages sent to women. His attorney, Anna Whites, has pushed back against the allegations, stating that many of the statements made against Grossberg were false or inaccurate. The governor emphasized the importance of a harassment-free workplace and expressed concern over the allegations against Grossberg.
Legislative ethics complaints and investigations by the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission are confidential until resolved in a public hearing, according to the commission’s acting executive director, Emily Dennis. As a result, it is unclear whether the commission has received a complaint against Grossberg or if he is under investigation. Grossberg, who was elected to the Kentucky House in 2022, has been known for his support of civil rights, gun control, and women’s reproductive rights. With Republicans holding supermajorities in both of Kentucky’s legislative chambers, the situation involving Grossberg adds to the political tensions within the state.
