2024-09-21 04:05:03
This story has been updated with new information.
Following Gov. Andy Beshear’s Friday call for the resignation of state Rep. Daniel Grossberg, the Kentucky House Democratic Caucus voted to expel the Louisville Democrat permanently from the caucus.
House Democratic leaders Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts released a statement Friday afternoon with the announcement following their earlier call for his resignation.
“In addition to calling for state Representative Daniel Grossberg’s resignation today, the Kentucky House Democratic Caucus also voted to expel him permanently as a caucus member,” the statement read. “He has since been notified of that change, which previously had been a suspension.”
Earlier in the day, Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman joined other Democrats in calling on the embattled Louisville representative to resign.
This comes amid an ethics investigation into Grossberg’s communications and conduct with women and other actions during his time in Frankfort.
“You cannot be a state representative and engage in this type of conduct,” Beshear said at a Friday press conference.
Coleman agreed, saying: “Enough is enough.”
“Women and girls in Kentucky deserve better and so do Rep. Grossberg’s constituents,” she said in a statement. “He has had ample opportunity to do the right thing by stepping aside, and if I were him, I’d take it sooner rather than later.”
Beshear had previously said Grossberg should give “serious thought” whether holding a public office is “the best or most appropriate place for him to be at this time.”
But he doubled down on his call for Grossberg’s resignation on Friday, saying he wants his children to grow up in a world free from harassment.
“Nobody, nobody should face harassment in their place of work, in the Capitol, anywhere across the commonwealth, and when it appears that a state representative is engaging in that type of conduct, we just need to speak in one clear voice that it is absolutely unacceptable,” Beshear said.
Grossberg has repeatedly denied the mounting allegations. He is also running uncontested in this year’s general election for House District 30.
The governor’s statement came hours after the Lexington Herald-Leader published a story about Grossberg being banned from a strip club after inappropriately touching dancers and offering to pay one for sex.
“Like many people my age, I have been to adult clubs, including Foxy’s,” Grossberg said in a statement provided by his attorney, Anna Whites. “I have never solicited prostitution from anyone, nor have I referenced my office to gain advantage. The allegations get more outlandish with each story, but they won’t stop me from continuing to work tirelessly to serve my constituents.”
Whites said Grossberg doesn’t intend to resign.
“At this point, his intent is continue to serve his constituents and do his job, which he was elected to do,” Whites said.
Grossberg has been temporarily stripped of committee assignments by House Democratic leadership while the investigation proceeds. The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission voted unanimously Sept. 10 to allow the investigation to move forward.
Other Democrats also call for Grossberg’s resignation
Other notable Democrats and lawmakers also called for Grossberg’s resignation Friday morning.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Grossberg should resign, and “sexual assault, harassment, and abuses of power can not be tolerated.”
The president of Kentucky Young Democrats, Allison Wiseman, released a statement Friday morning outlining her personal experiences with Grossberg.
“I am one of Rep. Grossberg’s victims. He needs to resign,” her statement begins.
Wiseman went on to identify herself as “Woman C,” from a Herald-Leader story published in August and share numerous interactions with the lawmaker that made her experience “severe unease.”
Democratic state Rep. Chad Aull called the allegations against Grossberg “disappointing and disturbing” and called for his immediate resignation.
Kentucky Democratic Chair Colmon Elridge released a statement calling Grossberg “unfit” to serve in public office.
“Every individual deserves to be held accountable for their own actions — particularly those who represent Kentuckians in the halls of our Capitol,” Elridge said. “Representative Grossberg has repeatedly proven that he is unfit to serve and must resign from office.”
State Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, also joined the chorus calling for Grossberg’s resignation.
State Rep. Josie Raymond, who is running unopposed in the District 10 race for Louisville Metro Council, called for Grossberg’s resignation.
Tamarra Wieder, state director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, released a statement calling for Grossberg’s resignation.
“We join the many voices demanding the immediate resignation of Representative Daniel Grossberg. The allegations of his repeated egregious sexual harassment are deeply troubling, pervasive, and credible,” Wieder said. “His abuse of power must end now; every day he remains in office is a day too long. We thank and support the brave Kentuckians who have come forward and shared their stories.”
Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at [email protected] or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter. Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at [email protected] or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.
