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

Abigail Spanberger, the first female governor in Virginia’s history, will give the Democrats’ response to US President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address since returning to the White House.

Trump is set to deliver the speech on Tuesday night, and after his remarks Americans will hear from Spanberger.

The rebuttal – first delivered in 1966 – is traditionally given by a rising star in the opposing party.

Spanberger, 46, was elected as Virginia’s governor in November after serving in Congress and working as a CIA officer.

In a statement, 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.”

She added that she was looking forward to laying out what Americans “expect and deserve – leaders who are working hard to deliver for them”.

Spanberger’s selection is one of little political risk for Democrats. She was elected a few months ago and cannot run for re-election, as Virginia has a one-term limit.

Democratic leaders touted the choice of Spanberger, who in 2018 ousted a Republican incumbent to win a seat in US Congress and helped Democrats secure a majority at the time.

“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,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

“She stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump, who will lie, deflect and blame everyone but himself for his failed presidency on Tuesday evening.”

In the November election, Spanberger won 57.6% of the vote in one of the first major US races after Trump was re-elected.

Democratic California Senator Alex Padilla will deliver the Spanish language response to the speech.

“Americans demand and deserve accountability, stability, and a government that works for them,” Padilla said. “That’s what I’ll be discussing on Tuesday.”