LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer announced on Wednesday that he will not be seeking re-election for Kentucky's 17th Senate District.
After over two decades of service to his district and a decade as Senate Majority Floor Leader, Thayer will finish his term in December 2024.
"I have decided not to seek re-election to the state Senate in 2024," Thayer said. "The end of my current term next year will mark 22 years in the Senate and 12 as Majority Floor Leader. After conversations with my adult children, close friends and colleagues, I have concluded this is the right decision."
When WHAS11 News asked him on Thursday if he's considering a run for Kentucky governor in 2027, Thayer said it's "not something that I have to do to complete the circle of life."
"I may run for political office someday, I man not," he said. "I've had a great run with one of the best jobs in state government, but I do love serving enough that if the right opportunity came along I would consider a run for higher office in an open seat, and there's one open seat we know of, and that's in four years for governor."
According to a news release, Thayer is the longest-serving Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader in Kentucky history. The 17th Senate District is part of what has become known as 'Kentucky's Golden Triangle.' It includes Grant and Scott counties and parts of Fayette and Kenton counties. The release states it is the "fastest-growing economic region in the state."
"I have accomplished most of the political and policy goals I set out to achieve," Thayer said. "I am grateful to the residents of the 17th district who granted me the honor of representing them in the Senate, and to my colleagues in the GOP caucus for the privilege of being their Majority Leader."
The Georgetown Republican said he made the decision to step down after next year after conversations with his adult children, close friends and colleagues.
Thayer gained a reputation as a leading advocate for Kentucky's thoroughbred racing, bourbon and tourism industries. He was supportive of legislation for wagering on historical racing machines — a lucrative revenue source tapped into by the state’s racetracks. Historical racing machines allow people to bet on randomly generated, past horse races. The games typically show video of condensed horse races. The tracks have reinvested some of the revenue to make Kentucky’s horse racing circuit more competitive.
He backed a measure to phase out the property tax on the value of barrels of aging spirits — a key issue for bourbon producers. And he secured $75 million for tourism recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thayer's conservative credentials included support for right-to-work legislation and repeal of prevailing wage. He supported a tax overhaul in 2022 that will phase out individual income taxes in Kentucky.
Thayer was named the recipient of the American Gambling Awards' Policymaker of the Year Award alongside Rep. Michael Meredith for their roles in enacting sports betting legislation, House Bill 551.
"There are exciting private sector opportunities I wish to pursue that will require more of my time and energy, which I am currently not afforded with the great responsibility that comes with being a member of our citizen legislature," Thayer said. "With one year remaining in my term, I intend to pursue the policy goals of the Senate GOP with the vigor and enthusiasm people have come to expect. My focus will be a successful 2024 Legislative Session."
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