Sen. Damon Thayer won’t seek re-election; excited about what’s next

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — State Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer announces he will not be seeking re-election at the end of his current term.

He is also sharing whom he thinks is the best fit to take over after him.

Thayer is the longest-serving Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader in state history, with 22 years in the senate and 12 as majority floor leader.

“It’s been a great ride and I’ve got to meet some incredible people and made some lifelong friends,” says Thayer as he reflects on his time in the state senate.

Thayer has been the senate majority leader for more than a decade and throughout his time serving, he has helped aid in the passage of several major bills such as sports betting.
A significant milestone for Thayer.

“The people wanted it. The people in my district and my area wanted it badly and they, they grew more and more frustrated each year when we didn’t pass it and more and more of our surrounding states did. So, getting that done last year was a surprise. I, I’ll be honest with you, it all came together at the last minute and, I’m glad that it did,” he says.

Thayer is originally from Michigan, and for the past two decades has represented the city of Georgetown.
Thayer says it’s amazing to see how much it has continued to grow.

“It’s the fastest growing city in Kentucky. Lots of people are moving there, lots of businesses are, are, are, are moving there.Toyota continues to grow and evolve and that means the 100 or so suppliers to, to Toyota are growing and evolving. It’s been very exciting. It’s a great place to live and it was sort of serendipitous that I was the first senator from Scott County since 1964 to come along at this time when Georgetown was experiencing such tremendous growth,” he also says.

As for what comes next, Thayer plans on growing his two businesses and already has someone in mind to lead the senate.

“I’ve encouraged Senator Julie Raque Adams to consider running for majority floor leader. I’ve encouraged her to consider it. We do our leadership as a group collectively and collaboratively. So she’s already been a part of that, so there will be no learning curve for her in leadership. Also, she is a multitasker and you have to be a multitasker to be majority for because the, the process comes at you fast and furious and you got to be able to juggle that,” added Thayer.

Thayer’s term will end in December of 2024.