Who is Abigail Spanberger, the Democrat set to give State of the Union response

The rebuttal - first delivered in 1966 - is often given by rising stars in the opposition party.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, the first woman elected to the position in the state, was chosen to deliver the Democratic Party’s response to President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address. Regarded as a rising star, Spanberger previously served three terms in the U.S. House representing Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, which she flipped from Republican control in 2018. Her background includes work with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on narcotics cases and as a CIA operative.

Democrats are placing strategic emphasis on Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger's affordability-driven political message as she prepares to deliver the party's official response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. Spanberger, whose recent double-digit victory flipped a Republican-held office in Virginia, is seen as a symbol of the Democrats’ effort to focus on economic issues, particularly cost-of-living concerns, ahead of the midterm elections. Her rebuttal is scheduled to take place from Colonial Williamsburg, a historic site chosen to evoke themes of resistance and democratic ideals.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is set to deliver the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night as the party tries to counter the president's message. Spanberger, a former congresswoman and CIA officer, was elected in November as Virginia's first female governor in one of Democrats' first major electoral victories since the 2024 elections. She's set to deliver the speech from Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, which she said 'has served as a testament to the power of ordinary citizens to shape the future of our nation, demand better from our government, and pursue a more perfect union for all.'

A group of Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott Trump's address next week and attend a coordinated outdoor rally on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol, instead. At least a dozen Democrats in Congress are skipping the address to instead attend the “People’s State of the Union” rally at 8:30 p.m. ET. Trump’s speech is scheduled for 9 p.m. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement: 'I am honored to announce that Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic Response to the State of the Union Address. A trusted public servant, Governor Spanberger began her career as a Postal Inspector and national security professional, protecting the country against our adversaries. 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, Governor Spanberger has worked to deliver real results for everyone, while upholding the Constitution.'

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic rebuttal to President Donald Trump's 2026 State of the Union address, sharply criticizing his administration for worsening affordability and creating domestic and international instability. She emphasized economic issues and framed affordability as the Democrats' central campaign issue.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger offered a sharp contrast to President Donald Trump's depiction of the nation as being in a 'golden age' during his State of the Union, arguing in her Democratic rebuttal that costs remain high for many Americans more than a year into his second term.