KEY POINT: "The opportunity marks a whirlwind rise for Guzman, 44, who last fall unseated an eight-term Republican incumbent to win her seat in the House of Delegates. She is one of the first Latinas to serve in Virginia’s legislature, part of a diverse group of new Democrats who were swept into office this year.”
Va. Democrats cheer Guzman, tapped for Spanish-language response to Trump
by Gregory S. Schneider
RICHMOND — Del. Elizabeth Guzman (D-Prince William) received a standing ovation from other House Democrats on Friday when her caucus announced that she would be delivering the Spanish-language response next week to President Trump’s State of the Union address.
The opportunity marks a whirlwind rise for Guzman, 44, who last fall unseated an eight-term Republican incumbent to win her seat in the House of Delegates.
She is one of the first Latinas to serve in Virginia’s legislature, part of a diverse group of new Democrats who were swept into office this year.
During last year’s campaign, she raised more money — more than $1.1 million — than all but two other candidates in her first run for office.
Guzman has been one of the most prominent new faces in the General Assembly since the session began Jan. 10.
Her fellow Democrats elected her president of the freshman class of delegates, which at 15 is the biggest crop of new Democrats ever.
Born in Peru, Guzman is a social worker who lives in Dale City and has four children.
Her staff got a call from U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s office earlier this week offering the opportunity, a staffer said.
Guzman will travel to Washington on Monday night to record her remarks, which will air on Spanish-language television after the president’s speech Tuesday night.