Excellent pick by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries:

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer today announced that Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic Response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The Leaders also announced Senator Alex Padilla will deliver the Spanish language response to the speech.

Leader Jeffries said: “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.

“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,” Leader Jeffries continued. “She stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump, who will lie, deflect and blame everyone but himself for his failed presidency on Tuesday evening. As our nation marks its 250th anniversary this summer, Governor Spanberger embodies the best of America as a mother, community leader and dedicated public servant.”

Leader Chuck Schumer said: “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.”

Governor Abigail Spanberger said: “We are at a defining moment in our nation’s history. 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.”

Abigail Spanberger is Virginia’s 75th Governor. In 2018, Governor Spanberger became the first Democrat in 50 years to be elected to serve Virginia’s Seventh District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served for three terms. Governor Spanberger began her career of public service as a federal law enforcement officer — working money laundering and narcotics cases. Governor 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. Governor Spanberger and her husband Adam are the proud parents of three school-aged daughters.

***

Leader Jeffries said: “The son of two Mexican immigrants and California’s first Latino U.S. Senator, Sen. Alex Padilla is a devoted public servant, extraordinary trailblazer and fierce fighter for Californians and the diverse community he represents. As Donald Trump, Kristi Noem and MAGA extremists have tried to silence the voices of our Latino brothers and sisters, Senator Alex Padilla has consistently fought back and proven Democrats will not bend the knee to this out-of-control administration. House Democrats are proud to have Senator Padilla leading the way as we communicate to Spanish-speaking households across the nation.”

Leader Chuck Schumer said: “As the son of immigrants, Senator Padilla knows firsthand what opportunity in America can mean — and he’s spent his career fighting to keep that promise alive. From lowering costs to defending our democracy, he’s delivered for working families. His message will stand in sharp contrast to President Trump’s chaos and self-dealing.”

Senator Alex Padilla said: “Americans don’t need another speech from Donald Trump pretending everything is fine when their bills are too high, paychecks are too low, and masked and militarized federal agents are roaming our communities violating Constitutional rights on a daily basis. We refuse to accept his failed economic agenda that makes billionaires richer while middle class Americans see their health care costs rise. We refuse to accept a federal government that weaponizes enforcement agencies against immigrants and U.S. citizens alike. And we refuse to accept attacks on the right to vote. There is a better path — one that lowers costs, safeguards our democracy, and reins in rogue federal agencies. Americans demand and deserve accountability, stability, and a government that works for them. That’s what I’ll be discussing on Tuesday.”

The proud son of Mexican immigrants, Alex Padilla is the first Latino elected to represent California in the United States Senate. A life-long Californian, Padilla grew up in a working-class community in the San Fernando Valley before earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Returning home after earning his degree, Senator Padilla was inspired to enter public service in response to California’s anti-immigrant Proposition 187. Padilla went on to be elected to the Los Angeles City Council, the California State Senate and as California’s first Latino Secretary of State where he oversaw a historic expansion of voting rights and voter participation, strengthening access to the ballot for millions of Californians.

First appointed to the Senate in January of 2021 to fill the vacancy of Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Padilla went on to win a full term in November 2022. In the Senate, Padilla has been a leader on issues ranging from immigration, to voting rights, to climate change, with the goal of ensuring everyone has the same fair shot at the American dream his own family had.

###