NATIONAL NEWS

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger to give Democratic response to Trump’s State of the Union address

Feb 19, 2026, 11:19 AM

FILE - Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers her State of the Commonwealth address before a joi...

FILE - Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers her State of the Commonwealth address before a joint session of the Virignia General Assembly at the Capitol, Jan. 19, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address next week, just months after resoundingly winning an office previously held by a Republican.

The Democratic rebuttal will immediately follow Trump’s address to Congress next Tuesday, offering the party’s most high-profile opportunity to deliver a countermessage.

Spanberger, who served three terms in Congress, became Virginia’s first female governor earlier this year. She won the race by a double-digit margin, campaigning on affordability and lowering costs for families.

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Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger to give Democratic response to Trump’s State of the Union address