Republican Damon Thayer, Kentucky state Senate Majority Floor Leader, will not seek reelection

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kentucky state Senate Majority Floor Leader won't seek reelection next year.

Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, announced Wednesday that he won't seek reelection for the 17th Senate District after his current term ends in Dec. 2024. Thayer has served for more than two decades in the state senate.

"The end of my current term next year will mark 22 years in the Senate and 12 as Majority Floor Leader," Thayer said in a news release. "After conversations with my adult children, close friends and colleagues, I have concluded this is the right decision."

He is the longest-serving Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader in the state's history. Thayer represents Grant and Scott counties, and parts of Fayette and Kenton counties.

"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."

Thayer helped champion sports betting legislation, the passage of right-to-work legislation, repeal of prevailing wage and tax reform.