Damon Thayer Archives

The Florida State Legislature is facing a crossroads similar to what we in Kentucky’s General Assembly faced in early 2021. At stake, as it was in Kentucky, is the future of the labor-intensive horseracing and breeding industry in that state. With strong support from horsemen whose livelihoods were at risk, Kentucky lawmakers passed legislation that…

GOP floor leader did not seek reelection but is keeping his political options open, especially if McConnell decision sets off ‘domino effect’ FRANKFORT — Outgoing Republican Senate Floor Leader Damon Thayer said that when he moved to Kentucky more than three decades ago, he “never would have dreamt” he would be elected to the seat,…

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Citizen legislator chapter ends; involvement in industry won’t Damon Thayer on Jan. 1, 2025 ends his 22-year run as a Kentucky State Senator, the last 13 as the Republican Majority Floor Leader, having announced last December that he would not seek re-election. Thayer reflected on his career, how he got there and what’s next in…

The horse capital of the world was never the handle capital of America. Kentucky still isn’t, but to quote former Turfway Park announcer Mike Battaglia, it’s “gaining ground.” From 2007 to 2023, Kentucky ranked last among the big four states in American Thoroughbred racing by total handle. That changed in a big way last year…

As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, Damon Thayer, the longest-serving Majority Floor Leader in Kentucky Senate history, officially concluded his nearly 22-year tenure in the legislature. A Republican stalwart, Thayer’s career began with a special election win and spanned transformative years for Kentucky politics. Elected in 2003, Thayer became the third Republican…

His 2003 election to the state senate signaled a dramatic shift in Scott County politics,  but now almost 22 years later, Damon Thayer is ready to focus on other things besides politics. Not that he will never return to politics. Earlier this year, Thayer announced he would not seek re-election as state senator, thus also…

Damon Thayer is not camera shy. If you’ve followed Kentucky politics over the past decade, you probably know the longtime Senate Majority Floor Leader from Georgetown. Read the full story at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article296132004.html