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Thayer Seeking Two More Years As GOP Floor Leader

Republican State Sen. Damon Thayer is sounding bullish about his party’s chances in November.

Despite encouragement from colleagues to run for Secretary of State or Auditor in 2015, the State Senate Majority Floor Leader tells cn|2 Pure Politics that he plans to stay put. With Republicans positioned to maintain their majority in the Senate and gunning for control of the House, Thayer says he can be most effective where he is right now.

"I love my job as Senate Majority Floor Leader," he said. " I'm going to ask my colleagues to give me another two years there. I want to continue to work with them to enact a pro-jobs agenda with a Republican House led by Jeff Hoover."

Republicans would need to pick up a net nine seats in the House to win the majority – a possibility Thayer is optimistic about, but many House Democrats are skeptical. Among them is Fayette Rep. Susan Westrom, who says she’s more confident now than at the start of the campaign season.

"I think we're good, I really do. I was a little bit concerned at first because the talk was so rabid, but I know that our people have worked harder than they ever have," she says.

Thayer, meanwhile, is also hoping for a friendly face in the Governor’s Mansion in 2015. He’s backing State Agriculture Commissioner James Comer’s run for the top office.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.