Louisville candidate seen removing campaign flyer from mailbox drops out of race
A Kentucky House of Representatives candidate seeking to unseat Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, is withdrawing from race after video footage showed him removing campaign mail from a potential voter’s mailbox.
Max Morley, who was one of four Democrats running in the highly contested Kentucky House District 30 Democratic primary, announced on Facebook Wednesday afternoon he is ending his campaign less than one week ahead of the May 19 primary election and voting for Cassie Lyles, another Democrat.
Earlier this week, Morley was caught on video removing campaign mail from a potential voter’s mailbox while door-knocking. He was seen on a home security video that was posted on Facebook removing what appears to be a campaign flyer for Grossberg from a mailbox.
He initially approached the porch, rang the doorbell and knocked on the door before taking the piece of mail while waiting for a response.
Stealing mail is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C § 1708 and punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Louisville Metro Police spokesperson Aaron Ellis previously confirmed to the Herald-Leader a police report had been filed and an investigation is ongoing.
Morley apologized for his actions in a previous statement to the Herald-Leader. In the social media post announcing his withdrawal from the race, Morley said he apologizes to “those I disappointed or let down.”
“I am grateful to everyone who supported this campaign, volunteered their time, offered encouragement and believed in me throughout this process,” Morley said. “I am especially thankful for my family, and I am taking this time to focus on them and move forward privately.”
Morley launched his campaign in December 2024 was the first Democrat to challenge Grossberg, who has been under scrutiny for allegations of ethical misconduct and inappropriate behavior toward women. Morley had received endorsements from Louisville Metro Councilman Ben Reno-Weber, former Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Ward, the Hathaway PAC, Demand a Seat and Inseparable Action.
Now, Lyles is one of the three remaining candidates alongside Mitra Subedi, a high school teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools, and Grossberg. Lyles is a civics teacher at Fairdale High School and has experience in several education groups, including the Jefferson County Teachers Association and Kentucky Education Association Board of Directors.
Planned Parenthood Alliance, Teamsters 89, C-FAIR, and CWA Local 3310 IUE-CWA Local 83761 have endorsed Lyles.
“I will be casting my vote for Cassie Lyles, and I encourage voters to support the candidate they believe is best prepared to defeat Daniel Grossberg,” Morley said in his Facebook post.
The Herald-Leader recently reported that Christina Ross, a former college classmate of Grossberg’s at Grinnell College in Iowa, alleged he assaulted her during her first semester in 2005.
While multiple prominent Democrats have called on Grossberg to resign, he has declined their requests and has denied any allegations of impropriety.
