Now turning to politics, one of the most closely watched election contests next year will be in Kentucky to see who will earn their spot as Kentucky's junior U.S. senator, as the senior senator Mitch McConnell shakes retirement.

Former Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer was first elected to the state's upper chamber in 2003, shortly after Republicans had solidified their come from behind caucus numbers to gain control of the state Senate.

And part two of my conversation with their.

He talks about the GOP primary and next year's U.S. Senate race in Kentucky and who he favors to win.

And he holds no punches on his perception of some of the candidate's campaign missteps.

It was an easy decision.

I like Daniel Cameron very much, but I just don't think this is the race for him.

His fundraising has been quite poor, and I think if he has another pour fundraising quarter, I think I think Daniel is going to have to look himself in the mirror and and withdraw.

I think that's something he should consider if his fundraising continues to be weak.

He should consider withdrawing and endorsing Andy Barr and do everything he can to keep Nate Morris from becoming the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate.

And what are what are the things that you think Nate Morris lacks?

Authenticity.

Why do you say that?

Because he's coming off as this Trump Maga conservative, and he spent his entire professional life endorsing woke policies and pushing for Dei and all the things that the Republican Party is not for these days.

And, you know, I used to count Nate as a friend.

But his reaction to me via text when I endorsed Andy Barr for Senate really kind of showed his true colors.

And, you know, like a lot of people who thought they were friends with Nate Morris, we bought stock in Rubicon to show our support for him.

And that stock is now worth Bumpus zero.

And, you know, I think he has to answer for that.

And I don't appreciate his broadside attacks on Senator McConnell and his legacy.

You know, the Democrats proved in 2024 you can't win in office by just being against one person.

And I think this sort of, one trick pony assault on one of the greatest Americans of the last 50 years who saved this country from so many bad things happening to it, who pushed for the Bush tax cuts, the Trump tax cuts, and reshaped the federal judiciary?

I think it's just beyond the pale for him to come out and broadside.

Senator McConnell like this, especially since they were once allies and he was a supporter of him.

And I think it's, I think it's weak.

And I don't want him to be the next US senator from Kentucky.

But do you think it's a message that will sell to Kentucky voters who are seemingly in the camp of Donald Trump?

And who would hope who would go along with whoever Donald Trump were to endorse, which we don't know who that is, right?

We don't.

And honestly, I mean, Donald Trump should endorse Andy Barr.

I mean, he had he's had no more loyal foot soldier in the United States Congress and Andy Barr, but, I don't think this is a good tactic in a Republican primary.

I understand that there are people who, in my party who are unhappy, with leader McConnell and his votes against a couple of President Trump's nominees, but and maybe some other things, too.

But you have to look at the man's entire record.

You got to remember, people in Kentucky have been voting for Mitch McConnell in Republican primaries and general elections for 40 years.

And I think they're going to sit back and say, this guy's got one campaign message, and that is Mitch McConnell, bad.

You know, and I think it's a little bit of McConnell Derangement Syndrome happening out there.

And I think voters are pretty smart.

And I think they'll I think they'll look elsewhere.

I just don't think it's a good message.

And it's disappointing to see Nate take this approach next election cycle after 2627.

Governor, you when you out?

I'm, I think Jamie Palmer is going to run for for governor.

Is he clear the field?

I think he does.

And I'm.

I will be proud to support him.

I've encouraged him to run publicly and privately.

I think you want to run with him.

I don't know if I would do that or not.

Maybe.

I mean, I do, I I'm not going to lie.

I think being governor would be cool.

I think being close to a governor and helping them become the first Republican to serve two consecutive terms, because, look, it's going to take a long time to clear out the detritus from the Beshear administration.

And really, a hundred years of Democratic dominance in the in the governor's mansion.

So I would keep all things open.

One thing I've learned with the way my life has gone professionally, it's it's gone a completely different direction from what I thought.

But my phone started ringing in January, and, you know, keeping really busy, working in a ton of states on horse racing matters.

I'd never say never, but my my main thing is to support Jamie.

And there is more from Damon Thayer tomorrow night on Kentucky Edition when he talks about the possibility of Kentucky lawmakers redrawing congressional district lines like what's happened in Texas and California.

Is there a plan for that in Kentucky?

We'll find out if Damon Thayer knows and if he says it tomorrow night.