WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — As Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger prepares to take the national stage Tuesday night, delivering the Democratic response to President Trump's first State of the Union address in his second term, the newly-minted governor plans to address affordability and what she calls the "chaos" seen in American communities.
Her speech will focus on four themes, according to her office.
- Affordability, including lowering housing, health care, energy and grocery costs
- The "chaos caused by the Trump administration"
- How she says the Trump administration is contributing to "greater uncertainty around the world"
- The upcoming midterms, and how citizens are pushing back against federal policies
Watch related: Spanberger outlines economic priorities
The governor offered a preview of what to expect on Tuesday morning.
"I'm excited about having the opportunity to respond to what we hear," Spanberger told reporters in Richmond.
She elaborated on the themes she plans to address.
"We'll be talking about what I hear so frequently from families across Virginia and I know so much about what I hear from Virginians is similar to what my counterparts are hearing about the challenges people are facing particularly as it relates to affordability," Spanberger said.
The speech puts Virginia on the national stage. Local Congressman Bobby Scott noted the historical significance of the setting.
"I think it's an honor and doing it from Williamsburg puts emphasis on the fact that the United States is 250 years old," Scott said.
Republicans say they will be paying attention as well.
"This could be an opportunity for Governor Spanberger to look for ways to reach across the aisle, work with our federal partners to help make things in Virginia better," said State Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R-Chesterfield County).
Spanberger was elected last year and took office a little over a month ago. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine gave the State of the Union response himself when he was governor in 2006. Kaine weighed in on what he expects from Spanberger's address.
"I expect Governor Spanberger as sort of a new generation of leaders but representing this very important Commonwealth that was at the core of the nation's story from its very beginning," Kaine said.
The speech will air live following President Trump's address to Congress.
Spanberger will deliver her speech live from Colonial Williamsburg, where 250 years ago, representatives from Virginia voted for its delegation to Congress to propose independence for the 13 colonies. Her office also notes Virginia's Declaration of Rights, also adopted in Williamsburg, was influential to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.
Trump's address is expected to begin at 9 p.m., and Spanberger will follow immediately after the president.
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