Thayer won't seek re-election to Kentucky Senate

Kentucky state Sen. Damon Thayer, a Republican from Georgetown with close ties to the racing industry who has served as the Senate Majority Leader for the past 11 years, will not run for re-election next year, Thayer announced Wednesday.

Thayer, whose tenure as Majority Leader coincided with a Republican supermajority in both houses of the state legislature, has been a ready and willing advocate for racing during his 22 years in the Senate. He was instrumental in passing bills that strengthened the budget of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, allowed for historical horse racing machines at tracks, and permitted sports wagering by tying the licenses to racetracks.

In his announcement, Thayer said that he intended to pursue “exciting private-sector opportunities.” In addition to continuing to run a communications and consulting company, he is a partner in a project that revived a Kentucky bourbon brand.

Thayer worked as a publicist for Turfway Park and Breeders’ Cup prior to running for his first term in the Senate. He currently owns horses.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.