Rep. Daniel Grossberg used his power to harass and demean young women. He must resign. | Opinion

The story is as old as time: A powerful older man uses his position to harass, demean and intimidate young women.

That’s why the details in the case of state Rep. Daniel Grossberg are so depressingly familiar.

In the past two months, the Herald-Leader has been contacted by a dozen young women who received inappropriate texts or had troubling interactions with Grossberg, 45. Six of them — all involved in Democratic politics — were willing to share their stories with Herald-Leader reporters Alex Acquisto and Austin Horn about numerous texts from Grossberg with salacious remarks focused on their looks.

In one particularly heinous occasion reported by one of the women, the Louisville Democrat invited her to his Capitol office, where he became visibly intoxicated as he quizzed her about her sex life.

Grossberg and his lawyer have reiterated that he did nothing illegal. But that’s besides the point.

Grossberg’s lack of good judgment, his unwillingness to accept responsibility and his predatory and intimidating behavior online and in person show he is unfit for elected office.

He must resign immediately.

We also call on Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Democratic Party to urge Grossberg to step down.

There are others in state government who agree Grossberg has gone too far.

After the Herald-Leader published its first story on July 30 detailing Grossberg’s inappropriate texts to three young women, the House Democrats voted to temporarily remove him from their caucus and took away his office space in the Capitol. He is being investigated by the Legislative Research Commission.

The story that published Tuesday morning examines in-depth three more women who came forward after the initial story, a total of six women who have bravely shared their stories. There is no doubt more to come because Grossberg’s behavior shows an apparent compulsion to text young women without recognizing the behavior is unwelcome.

On Monday night, he issued a statement apologizing for his behavior, but also denying “any allegations of sexual harassment or abuse of office.”

He promised to do better, and we hope he will continue his journey of education and listening. But it does not need to occur in public office any longer.

Frankly, after the national educational experience we all took part in during the “Me Too” movement, there is simply no excuse for anyone to be confused about what sexual harassment looks like or what constitutes “appropriate” communications.

We are also disappointed Grossberg’s lawyer, Anna Whites, tried to pin Grossberg’s behavior on a neurodivergent diagnosis, which is insulting.

The Grossberg saga is also familiar because it’s quite similar to the tale of Republican House Speaker Jeff Hoover, who reluctantly resigned as speaker in 2018 after it was revealed he and three other legislators had secretly settled a sexual harassment claim made by a member of the legislative staff.

“Let me be clear: I made a mistake,” Hoover said at the time. “I have admitted in front of 10 television cameras and 20 reporters or so and in front of my family that I sent inappropriate text messages. I did not do anything illegal. I did not do anything that was unethical. I did not do anything that was unwelcome or unwanted, and I did not engage in sexual harassment.”

Fellow Republicans praised him for stepping down, saying it allowed the party to move forward on big policy issues facing Kentucky. The same thing is true today. Legislative staff and Democratic lawmakers are wasting time on Grossberg that would be better spent on making Kentucky a healthier, wealthier state.

Rep. Grossberg needs to recognize it is in his best interest, but more importantly, the best interest of his 46,000 constituents in Louisville and our commonwealth, that he steps down now.

This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 12:19 PM.