Kentucky Democratic Party votes to ban Grossberg from events, accused of sexual misconduct

The Kentucky Democratic Party has voted to ban Rep. Daniel Grossberg from party events and is calling for his resignation as the new lawmaker faces a growing number of allegations of sexually inappropriate messages and incidents.

“In light of Rep. Grossberg's troubling record of misconduct, the Kentucky Democratic Party State Central Executive Committee has passed a resolution calling for his resignation and banning him from attending Kentucky Democratic Party events,” party spokesman Jonathan Levin said in a statement Saturday.

“As KDP Chairman (Colmon) Elridge said, Representative Grossberg has repeatedly proven that he is unfit for office and must resign immediately.”

On Friday, the Democratic caucus in the Kentucky House of Representatives voted to expel Grossberg, who had previously been suspended from attending caucus meetings with his fellow Democrats.

Grossberg, of Louisville, was effectively expelled from his party after the Herald-Leader claimed in a series of reports that several women had accused him of inappropriate advances, interactions and communications.

The Herald-Leader reported Friday that Grossberg was banned for life from a Louisville strip club after a dancer claimed he moved her underwear and tried to touch her genitals during her performance. Another dancer said he offered her $5,000 for sex.

So far, six women have come forward and said that he had sent them sexually charged messages or interacted with them in a way that made them uncomfortable.

Grossberg denied sexually harassing the women or abusing his office.

“Like many people my age, I have been to adult clubs, including Foxy's (sic.),” ​​he said in a statement responding to the latest report. “I have never solicited anyone for prostitution, nor have I used my office to gain advantages.”

“The allegations become more absurd with each story, but they will not stop me from continuing to work tirelessly for my constituents.”

His lawyer, Anna Whites, said he has a “neurodivergent diagnosis” that places him on the autism spectrum disorder. In addition, the messages sent by Grossberg and the actions he is accused of were “taken out of context for media reports.”

Governor Andy Beshear and a number of other lawmakers have called for his resignation.

Grossberg, who was elected to represent the 30th district in 2022, is running unopposed in the November election.

Herald-Leader political reporter Austin Horn contributed to this report.