The Independence City Council passed a proclamation honoring Kentucky Senator and Majority Floor leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) Monday night.
“In seven elections, I’ve never lost a precinct in Independence,” Thayer said upon accepting the proclamation. “Never, never even came close to loosing a precinct, and so I hope this community feels like its loyalty to me has been returned.”
Originally from Michigan, Thayer has represented Kentucky’s 17th Senate district, which includes a chunk of Kenton County, for over 20 years and has served as the Floor Majority Leader since 2013, the longest tenure of any legislator in the position. His influence has led to the passage of significant economic policies in recent years, including right-to-work and repeal of the state’s prevailing wage. More recently, Thayer supported the passage of legal sports betting, which launched statewide and at retail locations in September.
Efforts to stabilize the state’s pension systems for state employees and teachers and advance the state’s signature thoroughbred industry (that brought the Michigan native to Kentucky three decades ago) have also rolled out under Thayer’s leadership. So has legislation supporting the state’s bourbon economy – now a $9 billion industry, per the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Other significant legislative accomplishments include the securing of $75 million for the Kentucky tourism industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and his support for the 2022 bill that aimed to gradually phase out individual income tax in the commonwealth.
Thayer has long been a critic of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, with the exception of sports betting, a measure for which the governor and Thayer have shown mutual support. Notably, Thayer was critical of Beshear’s lock-down policies during the pandemic as well as the governor’s general willingness to veto many of the Republican majority legislature’s bills once they reach his desk.
Thayer announced in December that he would not run for reelection.
In a December statement released to LINK nky by the Senate Majority Caucus, Thayer said he made the decision not to seek reelection “after conversations with my adult children, close friends and colleagues.”
“I have concluded this is the right decision,” the veteran state lawmaker said at the time. “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.”
Kiana Fields (D-Georgetown) and Matt Nunn (R-Sadieville) will compete for the district 17 seat in November.
Independence’s proclamation lauded Thayer for his service as an advocate for Independence and highlighted his commitment to conservative principles, having been awarded various honors from the Kentucky League of Cities, the National Rifle Association and the Kentucky Travel Industry Association, among others.
In a brief speech after the proclamation, Thayer highlighted some local successes, such as the expansion of KY 536 and other road projects.
Independence Mayor Chris Reinersman and city council members complimented Thayer’s reliability and willingness to stay open to their communications and requests.
“I would text the senator, I mean, it might be 6:37 in the morning,” Reinersman said. “I’m driving to Frankfurt, but I would send a text and say, ‘Hey, sorry about the last minute, but I really need to talk to you’ and he would find a place within his very busy schedule, and I’d be in his office within a couple of hours.”
Long-time councilmember Carol Franzen expressed similar sentiments.
“I can reiterate any time I’ve texted you, it may be a couple hours, but you would always get back to me,” Franzen said.
“I’m very humbled and grateful tonight,” Thayer said.
Rebecca Hanchett of LINK nky and Bruce Schreiner of the Associated Press also contributed reporting to this story.