Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is scheduled to deliver her eighth State of the State speech in a few weeks, setting the stage for her final two years in office.

Ivey, 80, will be the same age when her term ends in 2027 as President Joe Biden is as he finishes his time in the White House. Biden at 82 is the oldest serving president in American history.

Biden dropped his reelection bid last year after a stumbling performance in a debate in June fueled doubts within his own party about whether he had the energy and mental sharpness for another four-year term.

But the Republican leaders of the Alabama House and Senate say Ivey is engaged as the state’s chief executive and they expect her to finish her term, which would wrap up almost a decade as governor.

In a phone interview on Friday, the governor said she’s fit and ready to work two more years.

“The people of Alabama overwhelmingly elected me to a four-year term,” Ivey said.

“That’s a responsibility I take very seriously. My calendar doesn’t always show every detail. But I’m here working right now on getting ready for my trip to D.C. and remarks that I’ll make at a prayer breakfast on Monday.

“Being governor is a 24/7 job. And I take it very seriously. And the people have benefitted from my efforts. We’ve done a lot. We’ve got some more things that need to be fixed and I’m going to stay busy right up through the last day of the term.

“And I’m fine, healthy, energetic and always ready to serve the people.”

Ivey, the second woman to ever serve as governor of Alabama, took office in April 2017 after the resignation of then Gov. Robert Bentley.

If she serves until January 2027, Ivey will have served nearly 10 years in office, making her the second longest serving governor in Alabama history. Former Gov. George Wallace served for 16 years over four terms between 1963 and 1987, though only two were consecutive.

Ivey’s public appearances tend to be short and scripted events. She often takes a few questions from the press at her appearances but those opportunities to ask her questions directly are limited.

In November, the governor became shaky and unsteady at a Sunday night campaign event for Congressional candidate Caroleene Dobson.

An ambulance was called, and emergency workers treated the governor for what was described as dehydration. She returned to work on Monday.

Ivey announced in September 2019 she had lung cancer.

In January 2020, her doctor issued a statement saying he considered her cured after radiation treatment. The governor described the cancer as a small, isolated malignancy.

A main part of the governor’s job is working with the Legislature on policy and budget decisions for state government and education. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, and Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, the new leader of the Senate, said the governor is effectively preparing for the legislative session, which starts Feb. 4.

“What people don’t understand about Governor Ivey, she’s strong,” Ledbetter said Thursday. “She’s a strong woman. And if she tells you something she’s going to do it. She’s not going to do anything behind your back. And she’s going to make a decision and stick with it.

“And from my standpoint and my seat, that’s all I can ask for. And she has done that. I mean she has been nothing but great to work with. Our staff and her staff works hand in hand.”

Ledbetter said he talks to Ivey on a regular basis and said they had a long conversation over lunch when the governor visited his north Alabama district recently. He said he was preparing to meet with her Thursday about priorities for the legislative session and budgets.

“She’s always got a list,” Ledbetter said. “And she’s going to make sure she checks off every one of them before she leaves the room. And if she asks, she wants an answer.”

“I feel confident she’ll be fine for the next two years,” Ledbetter said.

Gudger said he does not think Ivey’s age has diminished her ability to do her job.

“I met with the governor this week, had a sit-down face-to-face with her and her staff,” Gudger said. “And she is I think mentally prepared, mentally strong, mentally ready to go forward.”

“I think she’s an amazing woman an amazing CEO and I think she’s going to be strong enough to finish out the term,” Gudger said.