Daniel Grossberg
Daniel Grossberg | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2022 | |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 30th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Burch |
| Member of the Jefferson County Commission from District A | |
| In office January 2015 – January 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Furman Wallace |
| Succeeded by | Noah Grimes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 30, 1978 |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Grinnell College (BA) |
| Profession | Realtor |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | U.S. Army |
Years of service | 2006-2007 |
Daniel Benjamin Grossberg (born September 30, 1978)[1] is an American politician who has served as a Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since January 2023. He represented Kentucky's 30th House district, which is in Louisville.[1] His legislative work has included privacy protections and measures addressing antisemitism, including proposing a statewide antisemitism task force and serving as co-chair of the bipartisan Kentucky-Israel Caucus. Grossberg lost the Democratic nomination for reelection to Mitra Subedi in 2026.[2] In February 2026, Grossberg accepted a public reprimand and two $1,000 fines to settle two counts before the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission.[3] He has denied allegations that he sexually harassed women.[4]
Background
[edit]Grossberg graduated from Teaneck High School in 1996, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in general science from Grinnell College in 2006.
He later served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2007.[1][5]
While currently employed as a realtor, Grossberg has previously served as president of the Louisville Metro Democratic Club, a member of the Kentucky Democratic Party's central committee, and member of the Louisville Jewish Community Relations Council.[5][6]
Grossberg is Jewish and, in 2023, was the only Jewish member of the Kentucky House of Representatives.[7]
During his 2022 campaign for the Kentucky House, Grossberg publicly criticized lawmakers’ use of an antisemitic phrase during a legislative committee hearing. He said the incident demonstrated the importance of greater religious representation in the legislature.[8]
Political career
[edit]County commission and state legislature
[edit]Grossberg served as the Jefferson County commissioner for District A from 2015 until 2023, when he entered the Kentucky House of Representatives.[9]
During his first term, Grossberg and state senator Gerald Neal introduced companion legislation intended to strengthen Kentucky's hate-crime laws. The proposals would have increased sentences for crimes motivated by characteristics including race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.[10] In 2024, Grossberg introduced House Bill 757, which proposed that an embryo outside a uterus not be legally classified as a person or unborn child and was intended to protect IVF patients and providers from prosecution.[11]
Grossberg served as co-chair of the legislature’s bipartisan Kentucky–Israel Caucus in 2023.[12] That year, he proposed creating a statewide antisemitism task force. Although the legislation did not advance, Governor Andy Beshear subsequently created the Kentucky Antisemitism Task Force by executive order in December 2023. Beshear later described Grossberg as one of the leaders who brought the task force to fruition and said that Grossberg had repeatedly advocated for its creation. Grossberg served as a member of the task force until resigning in September 2024.[13]
In 2024, Grossberg cosponsored House Bill 45, a bipartisan privacy measure introduced by Republican representative John Hodgson. Grossberg publicly advocated for protections against unauthorized tracking and other uses of emerging technology.[14] The bill addressed automated license-plate readers, tracking devices, drones, deepfakes, and biometric identification. It passed the House 96–0 but did not advance after being referred to a Senate committee.[15]
In 2025, Grossberg testified in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 55, sponsored by senators Lindsey Tichenor and Robby Mills. The resolution directed Kentucky’s public colleges and universities to adopt policies addressing antisemitism, collect information about antisemitic incidents on their campuses, and report that information to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.[16] Beshear signed the resolution on April 2, 2025.[17]
Grossberg also introduced House Bill 258, which proposed placing cameras at approximately 9,000 Jefferson County Public Schools bus stops to record incidents and improve student safety.[18] In 2026, Grossberg introduced House Bill 148, which proposed allowing school-district employees to use sick leave for religious holidays not included in their school calendars. The bill was referred to the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee but did not advance.[19] The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a joint initiative of the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, ranked Grossberg seventh among Democratic members of the Kentucky House for the 2023–2024 legislative session, with a State Legislative Effectiveness Score of 0.48.[20]
Ethics investigation and allegations
[edit]Beginning in 2024, several women accused Grossberg of inappropriate conduct, including unwanted sexually suggestive messages and questions about their personal lives. Grossberg denied wrongdoing.[21] In September 2024, the Kentucky House Democratic Caucus permanently expelled him from the caucus. Democratic leaders had also removed him from his interim committee assignments and joined other state party leaders in calling for his resignation.[22]
The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission conducted a separate investigation into 42 complaints. On July 8, 2025, the commission found probable cause to pursue three counts but did not find probable cause on the other 39.[23]
Shortly before a scheduled public hearing in February 2026, Grossberg and the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission entered into an agreement resolving the three counts on which the commission had found probable cause. Grossberg accepted a public reprimand and two $1,000 fines. Regarding allegations that he attempted to intimidate a Louisville business, Grossberg continued to deny the allegation but stipulated that sufficient evidence might exist to find a statutory violation. The other fined count concerned his 2023 conduct toward a woman in his legislative office; the agreement stated that his conduct may have violated the ethics code and noted that he was participating in counseling, therapy, and skills training. The agreement found insufficient evidence of a violation on the third count, which concerned an alleged solicitation of a contribution in exchange for a state benefit.[3] Grossberg continued to deny the sexual-harassment allegations, while Kentucky Democratic Party leaders maintained their call for his resignation.[3]
In May 2026, a former classmate at Grinnell College accused Grossberg of assaulting her in 2005. Her account was documented in a police report made shortly after the alleged incident; the Grinnell Police Department confirmed the report's authenticity, and two former classmates corroborated parts of her account. Grossberg denied the allegation and said the reported incident did not occur.[24]
Elections
[edit]- 2015 Grossberg was defeated in the 2015 Democratic primary for Kentucky State Treasurer, garnering 18,284 votes (11.2%) against a crowded field of candidates.[25]
- 2018 Grossberg was unopposed in both the 2018 Democratic primary for Jefferson County Commissioner District A[5] and the 2018 Kentucky general election, winning the latter with 200,905 votes.[26]
- 2020 Grossberg was defeated in the 2020 Democratic primary for Kentucky's 30th House district, garnering 3,290 votes (41.2%) against incumbent Tom Burch.[27]
- 2022 Grossberg won the 2022 Democratic primary for Kentucky's 30th House district with 1,840 votes (44.9%), unseating incumbent Tom Burch.[28] He was unopposed in the 2022 Kentucky House of Representatives election, winning with 8,015 votes.[29]
- 2024 Grossberg won the 2024 Democratic primary with 1,629 votes (50.8%)[30] and was unopposed in the 2024 Kentucky House of Representatives election, winning with 10,125 votes.[31]
- Grossberg lost the Democratic nomination for reelection to Mitra Subedi in 2026
Electoral history
[edit]2014
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniel B. Grossberg | 124,983 | 54.2 | |
| Republican | Tom Burdette | 105,574 | 45.8 | |
| Total votes | 230,557 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
2015
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rick Nelson | 44,411 | 27.3 | |
| Democratic | Neville Blakemore | 36,665 | 22.5 | |
| Democratic | Richard Henderson | 32,389 | 19.9 | |
| Democratic | Jim Glenn | 31,153 | 19.1 | |
| Democratic | Daniel B. Grossberg | 18,285 | 11.2 | |
| Total votes | 162,903 | 100.0 | ||
2018
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniel B. Grossberg (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 200,905 | 100.0 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
2020
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tom Burch (incumbent) | 4,692 | 58.8 | |
| Democratic | Daniel Grossberg | 3,290 | 41.2 | |
| Total votes | 7,982 | 100.0 | ||
2022
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniel Grossberg | 1,840 | 44.9 | |
| Democratic | Tom Burch (incumbent) | 1,719 | 42.0 | |
| Democratic | Neal Turpin | 536 | 13.1 | |
| Total votes | 4,095 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniel Grossberg | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 8,015 | 100.0 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
2024
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniel Grossberg (incumbent) | 1,629 | 50.8 | |
| Democratic | Mitra Subedi | 1,579 | 49.2 | |
| Total votes | 3,208 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniel Grossberg (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 10,125 | 100.0 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
2026
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mitra Subedi | 2,095 | 44.7 | |
| Democratic | Cassie Lyles | 1,495 | 31.9 | |
| Democratic | Daniel Grossberg (incumbent) | 1,096 | 23.4 | |
| Total votes | 4,686 | 100.0 | ||
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Legislator-Profile - Legislative Research Commission". legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
- ↑ Digital Staff, WDRB (May 19, 2026). "Mitra Subedi wins Democratic primary for Kentucky House seat, beating incumbent Daniel Grossberg". WDRB. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Horn, Austin; Acquisto, Alex (February 2, 2026). "Embattled KY Rep. Grossberg settles with public reprimand, waives ethics hearing". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ Horn, Austin; Acquisto, Alex (July 24, 2025). "Recapping Daniel Grossberg case: How investigation into KY state rep. has played out". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Daniel Grossberg". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ↑ Chottiner, Lee (2020-02-28). "We and us: Daniel Grossberg makes run for state representative". Jewish Community of Louisville. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
- ↑ Sayer, Ricky. "Kentucky Jews condemn unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel". LEX 18. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ Raymond, Adam K. (February 24, 2022). "Jewish House candidate decries lawmaker use of antisemitic language". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Daniel Grossberg". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ Shreve, Bryce (February 22, 2023). "Democrats file measures to establish state hate crime law in Kentucky". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ Schick, Austin (February 28, 2024). "State lawmakers move to protect IVF procedures in Kentucky". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ Cheves, John (August 6, 2024). "Who is Rep. Daniel Grossberg? The liberal voice in KY legislature is under investigation". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ Horn, Austin; Acquisto, Alex (September 24, 2024). "Amid sexual misconduct allegations, Grossberg resigns from Ky. Antisemitism Task Force". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ Brighton, Mason (January 9, 2024). "Proposed bill would protect people's privacy from emerging technologies". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ "24RS House Bill 45". Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ James, Josh (March 11, 2025). "Kentucky lawmakers poised to require public universities to report on antisemitism, disband groups aiding 'terrorist organizations'". WUKY. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ "25RS Senate Joint Resolution 55". Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ Aulbach, Lucas (February 6, 2025). "Cameras at 9,000 JCPS bus stops? State bill would require them". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ "26RS House Bill 148". Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ Highlights from the 2023–2024 Kentucky General Assembly Legislative Effectiveness Scores (PDF) (Report). Center for Effective Lawmaking. April 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
- ↑ Acquisto, Alex; Horn, Austin (July 30, 2024). "Sources: KY representative under investigation for inappropriate interactions with women". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ Acquisto, Alex; Horn, Austin (September 20, 2024). "KY House Democrats vote to expel Grossberg from caucus after sexual misconduct reports". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ Acquisto, Alex; Horn, Austin (July 8, 2025). "Commission finds cause Daniel Grossberg violated ethics code". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ Acquisto, Alex; Horn, Austin (May 7, 2026). "Former college classmate of KY Rep. Daniel Grossberg alleges he assaulted her". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Kentucky May 19, 2015, Official Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 30. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Kentucky November 6, 2018, Official General Election Results". Kentucky State Board of Elections. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Kentucky June 23, 2020, Official Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 32. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Kentucky May 17, 2022, Official Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 29. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Kentucky November 8, 2022, Official General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 42. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Kentucky May 21, 2024, Official Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 26. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Kentucky November 5, 2024, Official General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 44. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ↑ "2026 Primary Election Election Night Reporting". Kentucky Secretary of State. May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.