Grossberg should “seriously consider resigning” in light of the harassment reports

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said Thursday that state Rep. Daniel Grossberg, who is under investigation for alleged misconduct, should “seriously consider resigning.”

“I hope that Rep. Grossberg will seriously consider and talk to his family members about whether public office is the best or most appropriate place for him at this time,” Beshear said Thursday.

The governor made the remark at his weekly press conference after the Herald-Leader asked him if he planned to ask the Louisville Democrat to resign.

Beshear's comments are more forceful than his initial response to the allegations, which he called “very concerning” last week. However, he did not demand that Grossberg resign or suggest that he consider a voluntary resignation.

Grossberg and his attorney, Anna Whites, have strongly denied any wrongdoing or abuse of power.

Last month, the Herald-Leader published the accounts of six women detailing their inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment by Grossberg.

After the first story was published on July 30, House Democrats called for an investigation into his conduct in the ethics code. That investigation is still ongoing.

In the most recent story, published last week, the Herald-Leader reported the stories of two women who received inappropriate, harassing or sexually-charged messages from Grossberg. A third woman in the story recounted an incident of alleged sexual harassment in Grossberg's office, in which he drank several alcoholic drinks in front of her and asked her questions about her genitals and sex life.

A few hours before Beshear's comments, the Louisville Democratic Party had asked the first-term congressman not to attend local party events or meetings while the ethics investigation was “underway.”

“While we understand that the allegations against Representative Grossberg are only allegations at this time, we ask that he temporarily refrain from attending (Louisville Democratic Party) events and meetings while the House Ethics Committee's investigation is ongoing,” the party's statement posted on X said.

While Democrats have denied the allegations, most have shied away from calling for his resignation. These included Beshear and Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, who called the women's allegations “upsetting.”

Beshear was stricter on Thursday.

“These allegations are very concerning and become more concerning as more allegations emerge,” he said.

After urging Grossberg to consider resigning, the governor added: “We are, of course, monitoring these allegations very closely. No one should be subjected to the kind of behavior reflected in these allegations.”

This developing story will be updated.