All articles tagged with #democrats
A conservative op-ed argues Democrats cannot outshine President Trump during the State of the Union, citing three reasons: Trump’s substantial first-year accomplishments dwarf the opposition’s protests, a patriotic backdrop makes anti-Trump displays seem un-American, and Trump’s own showmanship makes it nearly impossible for Democrats to upstage him, with Spanberger’s official response unlikely to alter the dynamic.
Democrat Scott Harriman won the Lewiston House District 94 special election 572-503 over Republican Janet Beaudoin, giving Democrats a three-seat edge in Maine's 151-member House. The seat was vacated by Kristen Cloutier, who resigned to take a job in the Senate President’s office, and another June special will fill Republican Kathy Javner’s seat after her death. Harriman, 39, serves on Lewiston’s City Council and School Committee.
Democrats in the Pennsylvania House preserved their 102-seat majority by winning two special elections in Allegheny (42nd District) and Lehigh (22nd District) counties: Jen Mazzocco and Ana Tiburcio won for Democrats, replacing Republicans who vacated the seats. The wins leave three GOP-held seats still to be filled later this year, keeping the chamber at 102-98 until those elections occur. Additional special elections are scheduled in March to fill unexpired terms for Schmitt and Ecker and a May primary for Seth Grove’s seat, with George Margetas listed as the sole candidate for the 196th District race.
Donald Trump delivers a lengthy State of the Union focused on the economy, tariffs, and a hardline immigration stance, while Democrats stage counterprogramming and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers the official Democratic rebuttal centered on affordability. The night includes dramatic personal anecdotes, interruptions from lawmakers such as Omar and Tlaib, a protest on the National Mall, discussion of a stock-trading ban, and the presence of a designated survivor (Doug Collins) as Trump touts policy priorities and a path forward ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Democrat Jennifer Mazzocco won the Pennsylvania 42nd House District special election in the South Hills, taking about 81.7% of the vote (10,419 to 2,330) to replace Dan Miller. The district includes Baldwin Township, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and part of Upper St. Clair. Mazzocco, a teacher and Dormont council member, said she plans to run for a full term in 2027 and noted the win could set a tone for future elections amid strong Democratic performance in the area.
Trump delivered the longest State of the Union, touting a booming economy while attacking Democrats as 'crazy' and framing the midterms as a partisan battleground; the speech leaned on dramatic moments and guest appearances rather than policy details, touched briefly on Iran, and spotlighted fraud accusations while avoiding discussion of his own business entanglements.
House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned Democratic plans to boycott Trump's State of the Union as 'detestable,' urging decorum and respect for the office even in a partisan moment; while some Democrats skip or attend a separate event, Johnson framed the moment as a test of national unity.
Democrats staged competing counter-programming to Trump’s State of the Union, with Abigail Spanberger delivering the official rebuttal focused on affordability while other groups and lawmakers held parallel events, underscoring a party divided on messaging ahead of the midterms.
Live coverage shows a polarized night: Democrats stage counter-programming with Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivering a cost‑of‑living focused rebuttal, highlighting affordability as a contrast to Trump’s agenda, while Trump sticks to a disciplined, long program that pairs personal crime stories with a push for tougher immigration enforcement, tariffs, and economic wins. The evening features GOP and Democratic talking points, disrupted by some Democrats in the chamber, a nationwide counter‑protest on the National Mall, and a push to ban stock trading by lawmakers. Trump’s address runs 1 hour 47 minutes—a new length record—framed by questions from allies about policy specifics, references to tariff plans, AI data-center costs, and a guest-filled optics strategy in the guest box.
Democrats loudly disrupted Trump's State of the Union from the moment he entered, defying leadership guidance not to interrupt; notable moments included Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib heckling, a sign referencing a racist video by Rep. Al Green, and several others shouting during immigration and crime segments, with some members escorted out. The incident underscores a growing norm of partisan interruptions at presidential addresses.
Democrats have tapped Virginia congresswoman and former CIA officer Abigail Spanberger to deliver the party’s rebuttal to President Trump’s State of the Union address, with Senator Alex Padilla providing the Spanish-language response; Spanberger frames the moment as a test of accountability and a government that works for Americans.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, chosen by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to deliver the State of the Union rebuttal, will speak live from Colonial Williamsburg as a moderate, detail‑oriented voice expected to stress affordability, the “chaos” of the Trump era, and a call for concrete policy over slogans. The piece notes Spanberger’s blend of national stewardship (including her CIA background) with a focus on local Virginia concerns, and frames the address as a high‑stakes kickoff to Democrats’ midterm campaign amid intra‑party divisions and a prominent gerrymandering referendum in Virginia. She’s portrayed as a stark contrast to Trump and a unifying figure for a party trying to balance competing priorities.)
Democrats' rebuttal to President Trump's State of the Union is delivered by Rep. Abigail Spanberger, highlighting party priorities in the immediate aftermath of the address.
Dozens of Democrats plan to skip or resist Trump’s State of the Union, opting for counterprogramming such as the National Mall’s “People’s State of the Union” and other events, while some lawmakers attend the address or coordinate alternative protests; the move signals a strategic shift from in-chamber protests to varied demonstrations while continuing to oppose the president’s remarks.
Democrats plan a strategic push to flip Trump-won districts in 2026 by expanding their target list to 44 seats and backing a ‘Red to Blue’ program, betting big on large swings in GOP-leaning districts; Virginia redistricting could tilt a few seats in their favor, while primary battles and fundraising are shaping the field.