Abigail Spanberger tapped to deliver Dem response to Trump’s State of the Union address

February 19, 2026 at 07:34 PM

By Associated Press

Abigail Spanberger tapped to deliver Dem response to Trump’s State of the Union address

Spanberger became Virginia’s first female governor earlier this year

💡Analysis & Context

Choosing a newly elected, popular governor like Spanberger signals the Democrats are looking beyond Washington D.C. for fresh faces, strategically positioning her as a potential future national contender. Her selection also highlights the party's emphasis on state-level victories and moderate appeal, aiming to counter Trump's populist narrative with a pragmatic, results-oriented message. This move is a calculated attempt to reframe the national political conversation, showcasing a rising star who has successfully navigated a swing state, potentially influencing undecided voters and energizing the Democratic base for future elections. Watch for how Spanberger balances her gubernatorial duties with increased national visibility, and whether her SOTU response successfully broadens her appeal beyond Virginia, especially among suburban voters.

📋 Quick Summary

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union, a strategic choice highlighting a successful, moderate leader from a crucial swing state. This move aims to present a fresh, state-level perspective against Trump, potentially elevating Spanberger's national profile and signaling the party's future direction.

Spanberger became Virginia’s first female governor earlier this year NewsWorldAmericasUS politicsAbigail Spanberger tapped to deliver Democratic response to Trump’s State of the Union addressSpanberger became Virginia’s first female governor earlier this yearAssociated Press Thursday 19 February 2026 19:22 GMTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverSpanberger served three terms in Congress and became Virginia’s first female governor earlier this year (Getty Images)Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreVirginia 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.More to follow...More aboutDonald TrumpState of the UnionDemocraticVirginiagovernorMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead next