Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will give Republican response to State of the Union

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will deliver a response to President Biden’s State of the Union address next Tuesday.

Though Sanders, 40, only took over as governor of Arkansas last month, she’s been in the public eye for years as the daughter of ex-governor and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. She also worked as White House press secretary under Donald Trump from 2017-2019.

“We are ready to begin a new chapter in the story of America – to be written by a new generation of leaders ready to defend our freedom against the radical left and expand access to quality education, jobs, and opportunity for all,” Sanders said in a statement.

Sanders is also the nation’s youngest governor and the first woman elected governor of Arkansas. Prior to her stint in the Trump White House, most of her jobs were with her father’s various campaigns.

“She is bringing new ideas for a changing future, while also applying the wisdom of the past, including from the leadership of her father,” senate minority leader Mitch McConnell said. “I’m thrilled Sarah will share her extraordinary story and bold vision for a better America on Tuesday.”

One of Sanders’ first moves after taking office was to ban the term “Latinx” in state government documents.

Last year, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds gave the Republican response to Biden.