Indiana Sen. Greg Taylor removed as minority leader
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Indiana state Sen. Greg Taylor on Organization Day at the Statehouse. Photo: Axios Herron/Axios
Indiana Sen. Greg Taylor on Wednesday lost his leadership position at the Statehouse and is now denying all allegations of sexual misconduct after previously apologizing for behavior that potentially made colleagues uncomfortable.
Catch up quick: After reporting in November from the IndyStar detailed sexual misconduct allegations made by three women who previously worked or interned at the Statehouse, the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus voted 6-4 to keep Taylor in his role of Senate minority leader.
- Another three women who worked at the Statehouse in various capacities have since come forward anonymously to the IndyStar to make similar allegations, including one woman who says Taylor followed her into a bar bathroom and forcibly kissed her.
- A total of six women have now accused Taylor. He has not been charged with a crime.
Driving the news: Taylor told reporters at a legislative conference Wednesday that he did not do anything he's been publicly accused of doing.
- The caucus later removed him as leader and announced that Sen. Shelli Yoder of Bloomington will replace him in the role.
What he's saying: "I'm not going to do something negative against these women," Taylor said. "They deserve to be heard. But I did not do these things."
The intrigue: Taylor previously issued a statement that apologized for "times when I may have blurred the lines and behaved in a manner that potentially made my colleagues or those who witnessed my actions uncomfortable."
- On Wednesday, Taylor said that statement was written by a PR firm he hired. "That statement was not from me," he said.
- When asked if he was walking back the statement, he said no. "I didn't do the things that people are saying that I've done, and I can't chase a ghost," he said.
Yes, but: Taylor said he wouldn't presume to say he has never made a mistake during his 16 years in the state Senate.
- "You could say a word. You could touch somebody with no intention at all. And if you do those things, you should apologize," he said.
- Taylor, who says he's been married for 25 years, denied romantic pursuits while in office.
Taylor also brought up the fact that he was the first Black legislative caucus leader in state history, but when asked if he was implying the allegations against him were racially motivated, he said no.
- "I'm saying these allegations have come out on me, and I stated a fact that I am the first Black leader in over 200 years," he said.
What we're watching: The caucus has pledged to reform sexual harassment reporting during the next legislative session, which starts Jan. 8.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information throughout.