Governor Scott Walker canceled a breakfast speech with the Superior Days delegation Wednesday morning.

Superior Days coordinator Fariba Pendleton says the governor is always asked to speak at their annual breakfast in Madison, dating back 26 years.

“We had all of our ducks in a row but of course as I said yesterday, we have backups and we have backups for our backups,” Pendleton said. “And at 7:30 last night, I had a call from the Governor’s office and the news was that regretfully he’s unable to join us this morning. Of course he has his hands full, understandable. I was surprised even until the last minute that he was still even coming.”

A member of Walker’s cabinet pinch-hit for him. Former Superior Mayor and current Department of Regulation and Licensing Secretary Dave Ross spoke instead.

“He really regrets that he could not be here at this event today and you can imagine what’s on his plate right now, the activities that are taking place and the issues that he is dealing with,” Ross said. “And he severely regrets that he could not make this event. I talked to the Governor back when he was a candidate about coming to Superior Days and being part of this great effort. And he made a promise back in October that he would be at Superior Days if it was at all possible.”

Many of the 250 Superior delegates from eight northwestern counties say given the situation, they weren’t surprised the governor was a no-show. Walker was also invited to the Superior Days reception this that evening.