Damon Thayer

Damon Daniel Thayer (born September 16, 1967) is an American politician. He was a Republican member of the Kentucky Senate, representing the 17th District.^[1] He did not run for reelection in 2024.

Damon Thayer
Majority Leader of the Kentucky Senate
In office January 8, 2013 – January 1, 2025
Whip	Brandon Smith Jimmy Higdon Mike Wilson
Preceded by	Robert Stivers
Succeeded by	Max Wise
Member of the Kentucky Senate from the 17th district
In office February 4, 2003 – January 1, 2025
Preceded by	Daniel Mongiardo (redistricting)
Succeeded by	Matt Nunn
Personal details
Born	Damon Daniel Thayer (1967-09-16) September 16, 1967 (age 57)
Political party	Republican
Education	Michigan State University (BA)
Website	Campaign website

Thayer was raised in Grayling, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1989 with a B.A. in communications. He is the owner of Thayer Communications and Consulting LLC, a marketing communications firm. Thayer was vice chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky from 1999 to 2004.

In 2003, Thayer was elected to the Kentucky Senate in a special election to represent the 17th District. In 2017, he was selected Senate Majority Floor Leader. As a member of Senate leadership, he serves on the Committee on Committees, the Rules Committee, and the Legislative Research Commission.^[2]

He appeared on The Daily Show in 2013.^[3]

In March 2020 during the first session of the Kentucky Senate since Democrat Andy Beshear took office as governor, Thayer proposed legislation to limit the powers of the executive branch.^[4]