Gov. Gary Herbert was all smiles when he delivered his State of the State address Wednesday — but he revealed later that he has been battling pain from kidney stones, and he plans to have surgery Friday.
Herbert’s spokesman, Paul Edwards, said the governor was diagnosed at LDS Hospital with kidney stones.
“Following his doctor’s visit, he returned to the Capitol to prepare for his annual State of the State address,” he said. The governor also held an annual open house for legislators Tuesday evening and has maintained a full schedule. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox will fill in for Herbert while the governor is unconscious.
“The governor is scheduled for kidney stone removal surgery on Friday afternoon,” Edwards said. “In accordance with the state constitution, a proclamation transferring authority to the lieutenant governor will go into effect when the governor goes under anesthesia at approximately 3 p.m. on Friday.”
