SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (News4Utah) – Lieutenant Governor Spencer J. Cox spent approximately one hour as acting governor Friday when Gov. Gary Herbert underwent surgery to remove kidney stones.

In accordance with the state constitution, a proclamation transferring authority to the lieutenant governor went into effect when the governor went under anesthesia.

Lt. Gov. Cox wasted no time preparing for the opportunity. He was seen measuring for drapes in the governor’s mansion and trying out Herbert’s desk for size.

At 5:24 p.m. Friday, before undergoing surgery, Herbert issued the declaration to the Utah Supreme Court temporarily transferring “powers and duties of the governor” to Lieutenant Governor Cox.

That’s right about when the fun began… 


Here are 5 things Spencer Cox did during his time as governor. 
 

1. Made Fairview the new Capital City


2. Named Joe Ingles of the Utah Jazz Lt. Governor.


3. Updated his Twitter profile


4. Declared it’s time to #MakeUtahRectangularAgain


5. Gave a birthday shout out to his wife Abby


Governor Herbert’s surgery was declared successful and he resumed the powers and duties of this office later Friday evening. His physicians say they expect a “full an uneventful recovery.”
 

For more of Lt. Governor Spencer Cox’s shenanigans and service to the State of Utah, be sure to follow him on Twitter at @SpencerJCox and checkout the hashtag #1hourGov.