Damon Thayer, longtime GOP Senate leader, won’t seek re-election
One of the most powerful and longest-serving members of the Kentucky legislature announced Wednesday that he won’t seek re-election.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, won’t run for his seat again in 2024. Thayer represents the 17th Senate District, which includes Scott County, Grant County and portions of Fayette and Kenton counties.
Thayer played a key role in the 2023 passage of a bill that legalized sports betting in Kentucky as well as Republican initiatives passed since taking control of the House like major tax reform and “right-to-work” legislation. He’s also been deeply involved in the horse and bourbon industries as a legislator; his professional background is in the horse industry.
First elected in 2002, the end of his term will mark 22 years in the Senate and 12 as Majority Floor Leader. Thayer is longest-serving Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader in Kentucky history.
“I have accomplished most of the political and policy goals I set out to achieve,” Thayer said in a press release. “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.”
Thayer said that he made the decision after conversations with his children, close friends and colleagues. He also cited “exciting private sector opportunities” as a reason for his departure.
“Senator Damon Thayer has brought such conviction and passion to creating conservative legislation in Kentucky for over 22 years,” Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said in the news release. “I value and came to rely on the energy he poured into Senate floor activity day after day. Damon shepherded sound policy through the process, creating a business-friendly environment that’s materialized in the job growth we are seeing today.
“The commonwealth is better because of Damon Thayer and the Senate will miss him greatly.”
Thayer told the Herald-Leader that he is encouraging current Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, to replace him as floor leader.
“I think she would be excellent and is well-prepared for the job,” Thayer said.
Thayer’s announcement comes the same day as the only other Georgetown-based legislator, GOP Rep. Phillip Pratt, made public that he would not seek re-election.
In his own words
Thayer told the Herald-Leader that the “private sector opportunities” quoted in the release included significant clients in his consulting business as well as his involvement in a bourbon company, Kentucky Senator Bourbon, he co-founded.
“Being a citizen legislator is a misnomer. You’re always on call, you’re always on duty. After the session we had last year, I started thinking ‘this might be a good time to buy out.’ The closer we got to the filing deadline, I just realized I could not make a commitment for another five years,” Thayer said.
As of Wednesday, no other person had filed for Thayer’s seat. He said he may endorse someone, but that “remains to be seen.”
As floor leader, Thayer has controlled much of the comings and goings of the Senate. He considers that “the best part” of his job, and a role that’s come naturally.
“I was a theater participant in high school, so I guess it’s a good performance art for me. Everybody has a role to play, and I want a tightly run, crisply run production,” Thayer said. “I probably learned that being in eight or nine musicals or plays in high school. I have no athletic ability, but I do have the ability to remember lines and project my voice.”
Another “role” for Thayer is rhetorical bomb-thrower.
The Georgetown Senator is known for cutting commentary against Democrats, including Gov. Andy Beshear during the governor’s first term.
When asked about this, Thayer said “the Republican party needs fighters, and I’m a crusader.”
“I don’t suffer fools gladly and there are a lot of fools in Frankfort,” he said. “So, from time to time it is my job to call things as I see them.”
With a full year left in the Senate, Thayer said he plans to stay intimately involved in Frankfort and even more involved in statehouse Republican primaries across the Commonwealth.
What’s his main goal for the 2024 General Assembly? Passing a constitutional amendment to allow for “school choice” initiatives like charter schools and voucher-style programs, which were recently handed defeats from Franklin Circuit Court and the Kentucky Supreme Court. He said that’s going to be his “biggest priority during this session.”
Thayer did not rule out another run in the future for elected office.
‘Combative’ but ‘good-hearted’
Colleagues agree that he’s managed the floor effectively, at least according to a Democratic counterpart in Senate Minority Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas, D-Lexington.
“I think his biggest strength is he really manages the Senate floor well. He never let the Senate floor get out of control and I have a tremendous amount of respect for that... He and I both always saw the importance of maintaining decorum and respect for the institution, the pride and the history of the Senate.”
Thomas said that even though he and Thayer disagree mightily on most issues — a notable exception being the horse industry — they have a good working relationship.
Sean Southard, spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky, called Thayer one of the most consequential Republicans in the history of the state Senate.
“His zeal for the Republican Party and its policies is unmatched. He has been a true warrior for cause,” Southard wrote.
Thayer, even Republicans will acknowledge, can often come across as biting or combative in his commentary about those aligning against him on issues.
“He’s just very tenacious. When Damon really sunk his teeth into an issue, there’s really nobody that will outwork him,” Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville said.
Wheeler said that while he and Thayer didn’t agree on every single issue, he considers Thayer a great friend and ally.
“You could always count on him, and he was a guy who let you know where he stood,” Wheeler said. “You may not agree on it, but he wasn’t a coward.”
Rep. Killian Timoney, R-Lexington, one of the most moderate Republicans in Frankfort echoed Wheeler. A former public school administrator, Timoney said that Thayer is a close and vital ally even though he and Thayer disagree deeply on matters of “school choice.”
“I can’t tell you how much help he’s given me, and I’m not the easiest one to like because of my alternate viewpoints on different topics,” Timoney said.
“Damon Thayer, love him or hate him, when he’s by your side, you’re more effective.”
This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 12:24 PM.
