Big changes are coming to Frankfurt.

Today, the longest serving Republican Senate majority floor leader in Kentucky history announced he will not seek reelection.

State Senator Damon Thayer of Georgetown represents the state's 17th Senate district.

This time next year, he will have served his district for more than two decades.

But he isn't giving up on politics.

Today, I asked him about the timing of his decision and if he'll run for office again.

Why, why and why now?

I have some good things happening in my private business life.

My consulting company has been pick it up since the pandemic.

I do some horse racing work outside of Kentucky and then my bourbon company, Kentucky.

Senator, Bourbon is really at a key spot.

It's a nascent, burgeoning brand.

And on behalf of my my business partner and my investors, I have a fiduciary responsibility to help grow that company and that brand.

And this this job, this supposedly part time job is really full time.

And it's it holds me back from being able to fulfill a lot of my private sector commitments.

I, I don't have a job offer lined up.

People think, oh, I must have a job.

I don't have a.

Job that's not going to D.C.. Not now, but I'm not going to close off any door.

I mean, I would keep.

I'm not done with politics.

Well, that was my question.

I mean, what does this foretell for our future or political appearance?

Cameo or fourth act?

Fifth act for you?

Never say never.

You know, there's going to be an open seat for governor in four years.

I would have to take a look at the field.

Are you interested?

Sure.

Absolutely.

Yes.

And I think I think I. I think I could be a compelling candidate for governor.

And I would certainly put that on the list of things I would consider doing.

Now, why haven't you considered it before now?

You know, what I've learned in politics is you don't pick the time.

The time picks you.

And I've seen people force it.

I've seen people force running for governor.

And I never wanted to be that person.

And I just never felt like, by the way, that was result.

That was advice from Allen Williams.

Former party chair.

Yes.

Kingmaker or kingmaker, queen.

Maker or any.

She's a queen who helped make a lot of kings.

That's right.

And, you know, I always felt like in this Senate job, the time picked me, but I never felt like the time was right for me to run for governor.

You know, I certainly wasn't going to do it last time when all my friends were running.

Right.

And and, you know, I would take a look at the prospective field in 2027 and consider that.

And there are other things that I would consider, too, if there were open seats.

Such as.

The United States Congress.

United States Senate.

All things are possible only if there's an open seat.

I'm not going to challenge an incumbent.

No, absolutely not.

Right.

They're all my friends and they're all doing a really good job.

Interesting stuff.

We got more interesting stuff.

Tomorrow.

You'll hear more of my conversation with Senator Thayer, including who he thinks should replace him as majority leader in the Senate.

And if concerns about a primary challenge in May was part of his decision to leave Frankfort.