CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will give the Democratic response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address next week, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced Thursday.

“We are at a defining moment in our nation’s history,” Gov. Spanberger said in a statement. “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.”

Spanberger will be the first Virginian political figure to deliver a State of the Union response since then-Gov. Bob McDonnell in 2010, who offered the Republican answer to President Barack Obama’s speech.

The last Virginia Democrat to give a response to the State of the Union address was then-Sen. Jim Webb in 2007, who spoke after President George W. Bush’s speech.

Rep. Jeffries praised Gov. Spanberger for her career in public service, including time with the CIA and a stint in Congress.

“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,” Jeffries said in a statement. “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.”

Sen. Schumer said Spanberger will address key issues for Americans, including affordability.

“Gov. Spanberger has always put service over politics — defending our national security and delivering real results for working families,” Schumer said in a statement. “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.”

Jeffries and Schumer also announced California Sen. Alex Padilla will deliver the Spanish language response to the speech.

“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,” Sen. Padilla said in a statement. “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.”