Premium

Sanford: Taylor’s sexting scandal renders him unfit for Congress. But the voters will ultimately decide.

By , Daily Memphian Updated: October 28, 2026 5:13 PM CT | Published: October 28, 2026 5:03 PM CT
Otis Sanford
Daily Memphian

Otis Sanford

Otis Sanford is a political columnist, author and professor emeritus in Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Memphis.

The Daily Memphian welcomes a diverse range of views from guest columnists about topics of local interest and impact. Columns are subject to editorial review and editing for length and clarity. If you’d like The Daily Memphian to consider a guest column, email Eric Barnes.

Republican Congressional candidate Brent Taylor is right about one thing. People of deep Christian faith have an unwavering belief in the power of redemption.

The Holy Bible proclaims in the New Testament book of Romans that we all “have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Later in the First Epistle of John, it also says if we confess our sins to the Lord, “He is faithful and just” to forgive us.


Brent Taylor acknowledges sending nude photos


So obviously I take no issue with whether Taylor has sought and received forgiveness for sending unsolicited nude photos of himself to multiple individuals. I also have nothing to say about his relationship with his wife and how, as he says, they have moved on from this tawdry episode.

Whether Taylor has been the beneficiary of spiritual and marital forgiveness is none of my business, nor is it the business of anyone else — particularly voters in the new expansive 9th Congressional District.

This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.

Topics

Otis Sanford Brent Taylor 2026 elections 9th Congressional District Subscriber Only

Thank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.

Did you know we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization? We rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and other earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).

Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today. 

👉🏽 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.

👉🏽 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.

We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.

Otis Sanford on demand

Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Otis Sanford's stories as they’re published.

Enter your e-mail address

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Comments

Want to comment on our stories? If you’re a subscriber, scroll down to the comments. If you’re not a subscriber, only paid subscribers can add their thoughts, so subscribe now. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.