LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The most powerful Democrat in the Indiana state Senate is keeping his leadership post amid newly surfaced allegations of sexual harassment.
The allegations came to light in an investigation by Indianapolis newspaper The Indy Star.
The newspaper's investigation reports three women, all of them linked to the statehouse, said they were sexually harassed by Sen. Greg Taylor, who represents Indiana's 33rd District. That's north of Indianapolis.
Two legislative staffers reportedly had "unwanted physical contact," and an intern claimed Taylor continually pursued a romantic relationship.
In a statement, Taylor said "I may have blurred the lines and behaved in a manner that potentially made my colleagues, or those who witnessed my actions, uncomfortable. While it was never my intent to cause harm, I acknowledge that I have fallen short, and for this I apologize."
But the allegations didn't cost Taylor his leadership position, as the Democrats reelected him as Senate minority leader on Monday.
"I think it would have been time for a new leader, so that they could send a message that it was time to take a new path forward, even a pause, just to take a breath and say 'this is something that we are dealing with,'" Elise Shrock, chairperson of Hoosier Women Forward, said when asked what she would have preferred the Senate Democratic Caucus to do.
In a statement, the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus said it was "deeply troubled" by the allegations and apologized to former staffers, interns or anyone else who was affected "by the culture of misconduct that has persisted within the Statehouse."
The caucus said it is proposing immediate changes to policy and "committing ourselves to meaningful, lasting reform."
"Reform is non-negotiable. We are proposing immediate changes to the ethics process to ensure independence, transparency and fairness," the caucus' statement continued. "This is not just about improving processes or updating policies—it is about fundamental values. It is about recognizing that public servants have a duty to lead by example and create an environment that reflects respect, integrity, and accountability. Harassment, exploitation and misconduct have no place in the Statehouse."
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