Democrats have tapped Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger to deliver the party’s official response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, elevating the former intelligence officer turned swing state leader to a national platform.
From CIA Officer to Governor
Spanberger was born on August 7, 1979 in New Jersey and moved around frequently as a child before her family settled in Virginia. A graduate of the University of Virginia, she later earned an MBA through a joint program between GISMA Business School and Purdue University.
Spanberger began her career in the federal service, working as a postal inspector before joining the Central Intelligence Agency in 2006 as a case officer. During her tenure, she focused on the fight against terrorism and nuclear proliferation, serving overseas, including in Brussels. She retired from the CIA in 2014 and later worked in the private sector and in civic engagement initiatives encouraging women to run for office.
Congressional career
In 2018, Spanberger flipped Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, defeating Republican incumbent Dave Brat. She served three terms in the US House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025, positioning herself as a centrist Democrat focused on issues of national security, health care and cost of living.
Virginia’s first female governor
In 2025, Spanberger was elected the 75th governor of Virginia, defeating Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears. She became the state’s first female governor, a milestone in Virginia politics as the state continued its recent Democratic shift.
As governor, Spanberger emphasized reducing costs for families, strengthening public schools, improving housing affordability and preserving public safety—the themes that defined her successful gubernatorial campaign.
Why did the Democrats choose her?
Party officials see Spanberger’s double-digit victory in Virginia as proof that a disciplined message of affordability can resonate outside traditional Democratic strongholds. Her national security background and profile as a suburban swing-state leader also offer a contrast to Trump ahead of the midterm elections.
She will be joined by California Sen. Alex Padilla, who is set to deliver the Democratic response in Spanish.
