Brent Taylor Dodges Details About Sexting

State Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), the Republican candidate in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District race, won’t say how many people he’s sexted, or how many times it has occurred.

A Tuesday report from the Scene detailed the 58-year-old’s admissions to sending nude photos, which he called “youthful indiscretions.” A Scene source said they received an unsolicited photo from Taylor as recently as 2021. On Tuesday afternoon, Taylor sat for an interview with right-wing radio host Matt Murphy, who called the Scene’s reporting a “hit piece.” Taylor referred to media reports on his actions as "merely a distraction,” adding, “I don’t think voters really care about the issues that I may have caused my family.”

Brent Taylor's Sexting Problem

Republican congressional candidate asks voters to forgive past sexual advances as 'youthful indiscretions'

Not long after that interview, Taylor appeared at a GOP rally at Franklin’s Amruth Sports Bar. He did not address the controversy while onstage, instead railing against his Democratic 9th Congressional District opponent, state Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), who he said “would be a constant embarrassment” in Congress if elected.

Before the event, Taylor dodged questions about his sexting, which he claims was consensual. The Scene confirmed Tuesday evening that at least one incident was an unsolicited sexual proposition.

“It really doesn't matter whether it was one or 21,” Taylor told Scene sister publication the Williamson Scene regarding the number of people he’s sent messages to. “One was too many.”

Taylor wouldn’t specifically provide an answer regarding the number of texts, but upon repeated questioning, he referred to “incidents.”

“Going through the different incidents and going through each one of them really doesn't serve any purpose,” Taylor said. “Just know that the indiscretion was inappropriate. I shouldn't have done it. Whether it was one or 21 really doesn't matter, and I'm willing to be held accountable for the past indiscretions.”