Democrats nominate Governor Spanberger to respond in State of the Union

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic Party’s rebuttal to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address next Tuesday, a prime-time slot in which the state’s newly elected chief executive will outline the Democratic Party’s vision ahead of the pivotal 2026 midterm elections.

Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earl Sears by 15 points in last year’s election, shifting the state from Republican to Democratic control. She was previously a member of the Virginia House of Representatives.

A rebuttal to the State of the Union is a high-stakes chance for the party outside the White House to lay out its vision for the country after the president’s speech. The stakes are even higher this year for Democrats, who are seeking to wrest complete control of Washington from President Trump in the midterm elections.

“Virginians and Americans across the country are grappling with rising prices, disruption in their communities, and real fear of what will happen every day,” Spanberger said in a statement announcing his speech. “I look forward to next week explaining what these Americans expect, what they deserve, and the leaders who are committed to serving them.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said in a statement that Spanberger “stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump, who lied, deflected and blamed everyone but himself for the failures of his presidency on Tuesday night.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, R-New York, said the bill “sets a clear path forward to lower everyday costs, protect health care, and protect the freedoms that define us as a nation.”

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) spoke out against President Trump during a joint session of the House and Senate last year. The last time a governor spoke out was in 2022, when Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds spoke following President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address.