Gov. John Carney's annual State of the State speech postponed due to 'illness'

Amanda Fries, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·2 min read
Governor John Carney delivers the State of the State address in the House or Senate chamber of Legislative Hall in Dover, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Carney postponed his 2024 address Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, due to illness.
Governor John Carney delivers the State of the State address in the House or Senate chamber of Legislative Hall in Dover, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Carney postponed his 2024 address Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, due to illness.

Delaware Gov. John Carney's State of the State address has been postponed.

The Democrat was set to give his last State of the State address Thursday afternoon as he leaves office at the end of 2024 due to term limits, but his office said Thursday that Carney was ill and had to postpone the speech.

The governor's office said in a news release that Carney "has a fever and mild symptoms, but is in good spirits."

Carney tested negative for COVID-19, the governor's office said.

WHAT TO KNOW: Respiratory illnesses on the rise in Delaware

The State of the State will be rescheduled and announced at a later date.

Carney gets COVID, twice

Carney first tested positive for COVID-19 in May 2022 after feeling “mild symptoms.”

Delaware Gov. John Carney, center, accompanied by fourth grade teacher Leanna Vitti, to his right, and Vitti's class, holds up the newly signed bill banning smoking in cars with children under 16 years old at Wilbur Elementary in Red Lion on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Vitti has led the efforts with her class in support of this legislation.
Delaware Gov. John Carney, center, accompanied by fourth grade teacher Leanna Vitti, to his right, and Vitti's class, holds up the newly signed bill banning smoking in cars with children under 16 years old at Wilbur Elementary in Red Lion on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Vitti has led the efforts with her class in support of this legislation.

At the time, he was vaccinated and double boosted. He also continued to work remotely, but avoided in-person events.

He tested positive again for the virus in January 2023.

RELATED: Delaware Gov. John Carney tests positive for COVID-19 a second time

Carney’s last State of the State

This year marks Carney’s final State of the State address as Delaware’s governor.

The state constitution prohibits the governor from running for a third four-year term.

But Carney’s departure as governor at the end of the year may not be a permanent leave from politics.

POSSIBLE MAYORAL RUN: Carney expresses interest in Wilmington mayor after Purzycki announces he won't run

The Wilmington resident has expressed interest in running for city mayor, and in November established a political campaign committee – Carney for Wilmington – with the state Department of Elections, according to the election commissioner’s Campaign Finance Reporting System. Mayor Mike Purzycki announced in October that he would not be seeking a third term.

Wilmington resident Javier Horstmann is listed as Carney’s campaign treasurer, according to filings.

LAST YEAR: Here are 5 takeaways from Delaware Gov. John Carney's 2023 State of the State address

Last year, the governor’s address promised raises for teachers, more investment in early education and tackling the state’s worsening climate crisis. It was the first speech, since the beginning of the pandemic, in which lawmakers both appeared in person and many didn’t wear masks.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware governor postpones State of the State speech due to 'illness'