Married Lawmaker, 53, Calls Unsolicited Nudes ‘Youthful Indiscretions’

A married Tennessee state senator running for Congress has acknowledged sending unsolicited nude photos, brushing off the controversy as “youthful indiscretions” despite being 53 when at least one image was sent.

Brent Taylor, a 58-year-old Republican seeking reelection to the state Senate while campaigning for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District, addressed the allegations after they were first reported by the Nashville Scene.

One person told the publication that Taylor sent her a nude photo as recently as 2021, when he was already 53. Taylor did not directly address his age at the time when responding to questions about the election-year controversy.

“As I near 60 years old, the expiration date has come and gone on any of my youthful indiscretions,” Taylor told the Nashville Scene when asked about his history of sexting.

“Whatever story you think you’ve got, my wife is well aware of it, and we worked through it a long time ago. My God and my wife have forgiven me, and I would consider everyone else doing the same,” Taylor said.

Taylor confirmed to Action News 5 that he sent the photos, but said they were directed to only one woman.

In a separate statement, Taylor said he was confident Tennessee voters “aren’t concerned about my family or this type of past nonsense.”

“I’m willing to acknowledge my past indiscretion. The frustrating part is that my wife now has to relive this nonsense we’ve already worked through together years ago and moved on from,” he said.

NEXT UP: Jeopardy! Champion Arrested on Child Porn Charges While on Probation

Taylor has served in the Tennessee Senate since 2023. He is challenging state Rep. Justin Pearson, a Democrat from Memphis, along with independent candidates Dennis Clark and Michelle Head for the 9th District seat.

Pearson, 31, gained national attention after he was expelled from the Tennessee House in 2023 as one of the “Tennessee Three” for joining protesters on the chamber floor. He sharply criticized Taylor’s conduct in a statement.

“Men of faith — especially those who are married, in their fifties and serving in public office — have no business sending unsolicited nude photos to women,” Pearson said.

“Taylor’s attempt to describe sending unwanted naked photos of himself at age 53 as a ‘youthful indiscretion’ is a ridiculous and dangerous distortion of the predatory behavior that must be rooted out of our society and politics.”

Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District is the Volunteer State’s only Democratic-held seat in the U.S. House.

The district is represented by Steven Cohen, who has held the seat since 2007. Cohen has said he will retire after completing his current term, following a controversial redrawing of the district by Republican lawmakers.

The Cook Political Report rates the redrawn district, previously a Democratic stronghold, as “Solid R.”

Early voting is underway in Tennessee and concludes Thursday.