Indiana Senate Democrats Oust Greg Taylor as Leader Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

By Hoosier Enquirer Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Sen. Greg Taylor has been ousted as the Democratic leader in the state Senate following mounting allegations of sexual harassment from six women, including former legislative staffers and interns.

The Senate Democratic caucus elected Sen. Shelli Yoder of Bloomington as their new leader Wednesday afternoon. Sens. Andrea Hunley of Indianapolis and Rodney Pol of Chesterton retained their positions as assistant minority leader and minority caucus chair, respectively.

Taylor’s removal comes as pressure within his party intensified. Earlier Wednesday, dozens of Democratic women signed a letter calling for his resignation amid accusations detailed in IndyStar reports. The allegations date back to 2009 and include claims of unwanted advances, inappropriate touching, and an alleged incident in which Taylor followed an intern into a bathroom and kissed her.

Taylor, who remains a state senator, publicly denied the allegations during a legislative conference on Wednesday, distancing himself from an earlier statement in which he had apologized and acknowledged inappropriate behavior.

“I didn’t do the things people are saying that I’ve done,” Taylor told reporters. “I don’t know who these people are. I don’t know what they’re talking about. I can’t chase a ghost.”

His earlier apology, issued in response to the first set of allegations in November, admitted to behavior that “blurred the lines and potentially made my colleagues or those who witnessed my actions uncomfortable.” However, Taylor disavowed that statement Wednesday, claiming it was crafted by a public relations firm and did not represent his own words.

The Democratic caucus has not clarified whether Taylor voluntarily stepped down or was pressured to resign from his leadership role. In a statement released Wednesday evening, the caucus thanked Taylor for his service as Senate minority leader since 2020, highlighting his “collaborative approach” and commitment to fairness and progress. The statement did not address the allegations against him.

Newly elected Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder brings experience and advocacy to the role, particularly in areas such as reproductive rights, educational access, and health care equity. Yoder, a former Monroe County commissioner and congressional candidate, is expected to lead the caucus through a turbulent time as they navigate the fallout from Taylor’s leadership and the serious allegations against him.

The allegations, which surfaced in IndyStar stories over the past month, paint a troubling picture of Taylor’s behavior between 2009 and 2016. Among the claims are inappropriate advances, the pursuit of a romantic relationship with an intern, and multiple instances of unwanted touching.

Taylor’s future in the Senate remains uncertain. His leadership ousting marks a significant shift within the Indiana Democratic Party, as leaders work to rebuild trust and refocus on legislative priorities.

Sen. Yoder released a brief statement following her election, emphasizing her commitment to leading with transparency and integrity. “I am honored to step into this role and will work tirelessly to represent the values of our caucus and the people of Indiana,” Yoder said.

This shake-up in leadership signals a pivotal moment for Indiana Democrats, who must address internal challenges while continuing to advocate for their constituents at the Statehouse.