(The Center Square) – Indiana Senate Democrats will have a new leader when the lawmakers return to Indianapolis next month for the start of the 2025 General Assembly session.
State Sen. Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, will take over as minority leader, replacing state Sen. Greg Taylor, an Indianapolis Democrat who faces accusations of sexual harassment or improper conduct by six women.
The caucus, which controls 10 of the 50 Senate seats, issued the announcement early Wednesday evening, a month after members in a reportedly split vote re-elected Taylor to the leadership post he’d held for four years. Caucus members thanked Taylor for his service and “collaborative approach” as their leader.
Allegations first surfaced against Taylor on Nov. 18, when The Indianapolis Star reported the claims of three women. Taylor canceled an appearance at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce annual legislative preview that day. Still, he managed to win re-election as caucus leader later that day in a secret vote.
On Wednesday, before the caucus’ announcement, The Star reported additional claims from three other women. Taylor, speaking to reporters later that day and before the caucus ousted him, called all of the allegations “false.” He also disavowed a statement released on his behalf after the initial report, in which he admitted some conduct as inadvertent.
The accusations include inappropriate touching and forcibly kissing an intern.
“I didn’t do the things that people are saying that I’ve done, and I can’t chase a ghost,” he 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.”
Yoder previously served as the assistant minority leader but stepped down after a majority of her Democratic colleagues maintained their support for Taylor. In Wednesday’s statement, the caucus praised the new leader for her “wealth of experience and a passion for advocacy” on such issues as women’s reproductive health and education.
“The Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus remains steadfast in its mission to prioritize policies that uplift Indiana families and create a brighter future for all Hoosiers,” the statement concluded.
