Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic Response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address Tuesday, Feb. 24, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced Thursday.
“We are at a defining moment in our nation’s history," Spanberger said. "Virginians and Americans across the country are contending with rising costs, chaos in their communities and a real fear of what each day might bring. Next week, I look forward to laying out what these Americans expect and deserve — leaders who are working hard to deliver for them.”
"A trusted public servant, Gov. Spanberger began her career as a Postal Inspector and national security professional, protecting the country against our adversaries," Jeffries said. "She went on to vigorously serve her community in Congress. In November, she won the governorship in Virginia by the largest margin for a Democratic candidate in six decades. Throughout her career, Gov. Spanberger has worked to deliver real results for everyone, while upholding the Constitution."
“In her historic 2018 victory, she ousted a Republican incumbent to help deliver a Democratic House majority to serve as a check and balance on Trump’s first term. As the 75th governor of Virginia and first woman ever elected to lead the Commonwealth, Abigail is a champion for lowering the high cost of living, saving healthcare from the relentless far-right assault and protecting the federal workforce so they can serve the American people without political interference,” Jeffries continued.
Schumer said that “Gov. Spanberger has always put service over politics — defending our national security and delivering real results for working families. She knows Americans want lower costs, safer communities, and a stronger democracy — not chaos and corruption. Gov. Spanberger will lay out a clear path forward: lower everyday costs, protect healthcare, and defend the freedoms that define who we are as a nation.”
Spanberger is Virginia’s 75th governor. In 2018, Spanberger became the first Democrat in 50 years to be elected to serve Virginia’s 7th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served for three terms. Spanberger began her career of public service as a federal law enforcement officer — working money laundering and narcotics cases. Spanberger then joined the CIA, where she worked undercover as a case officer. Both at home and abroad, she collected intelligence, managed assets and oversaw high-profile programs to combat terrorism. Spanberger and her husband Adam are the parents of three school-aged daughters.
