WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Democrats Slam Republicans’ State of the State Addresses as Trump’s Billionaire-First Agenda Hurts Working Families Arrow

Last week, Democrats slammed Republican governors across the country as they delivered their State of the State addresses and tried to paper over Trump and Republicans' terrible record, which is raising costs, killing jobs, and making health care more unaffordable and inaccessible.

By nearly every measure, Americans are worse off because of Republicans' failed leadership. Working families deserve strong Democratic leaders in their corner who are fighting to lower their costs. That's why Democrats are all gas and no brakes as we organize up and down the ballot to ensure families have leaders who are fighting for them and not Donald Trump and his billionaire donors.

Take a look at some of the Democratic responses to last week's State of the State addresses:

On the airwaves:

On KETV, DNC Vice Chair and ASDC President Jane Kleeb: "Head of Nebraska Democratic Party Jane Kleeb says the governor's address wasn't realistic. 'I don't know what generational investments he's talking about, but I live in rural Nebraska, and I am seeing the pain and the hurt that has happened.'"

On KETV, DNC Vice Chair and ASDC President Jane Kleeb: "This evening, we're also hearing from the Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb who says the governor needs to put his money where his mouth is. 'You know, I think Pillen throws out these kind of talking points about welfare, about DEI, and really this is about trying to pit Nebraskans against Nebraskans, when the reality is we need to bring more revenue into our state in order to deal with a deficit. When he talks about running Nebraska like a business, I wish he would actually put a business mindset on, because he's certainly not. He's running it like he's the Chair of the Republican Party, and he's waging a bunch of culture wars.'"

Missouri Democrats: "Mike wants to dig his hands deeper into most people's pockets, but provide them fewer services in return, he's already provided a preview of the hard times to come by proposing $600 million in core cuts in his proposed fiscal year 2027 state budget and underfunding K-12 public schools by at least $190 million and if Tax Hike Mike gets his way, the financial crisis will get progressively worse. House Democrats believe tax hike Mike scheme is a blueprint for disaster, and we will do everything possible to rally Missourians into defeating it and protecting their own pocketbooks."

Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas: "What [Youngkin] didn't say is that families are barely surviving. He said Virginia is the best state for business. What he didn't say is that our ranking dropped last year to number four, while Virginia federal workers got shoved out of their jobs. He said parents first. What he didn't say is that test scores failed while he was busy fighting cultural wars. He said he worked across the aisle. What he didn't say is that he vetoed progress and bipartisan bills. Youngkins wants to leave behind a legacy, but listen up, Glenn, the only thing you're leaving behind is a mess, and now Democrats will have to clean up your mess."

Virginia State Delegate Dan Helmer: "As we speak, Democrats in the General Assembly are working hard to deliver legislation to build an affordable, secure and resilient Virginia. What does that mean? That means bills like House Bill 4, introduced by Delegate Elizabeth Bennett Parker, which makes it easier for families to buy their first home. Means House Bill 483, from Delegate Carrie Delaney, that lowers the cost of prescription drugs. Means bills like House Bill 3 from Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling to lower the cost of your utility bills. Means House Bill 1 from Delegate Jeion Ward to finally raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. It means bills that will keep our communities safe, defend our fundamental rights and save lives, like banning weapons of war from our streets, protecting our fundamental rights, from reproductive freedom to voting rights, to fair elections, to marriage equality, and thanks to you, we'll get it passed because we now have a governor who is actually focused on keeping Virginians safe."

Georgia House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley: "Governor Kemp and Republican legislators will tell you they've done enough, that Georgia is strong, that Georgia is the number one place to do business, but I ask you this: if Georgia is so strong, why are you struggling? If the economy is booming, why can't you afford rent? If their policies are working, why does everything cost more? The truth is simple: their policies work for some Georgians, just not most Georgians. … House Democrats stand ready to lead on affordability, to make the investments Republicans refuse to make to protect the services they're trying to cut."

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried: "The governor's words show how widely out of touch he is with the experiences of working Floridians. …. If the governor wanted to truly make housing more affordable, you know what he would do? He would stand up to the insurance companies and fight for our communities instead. Well, he's given up his unwillingness to stand. And up to political donors and the insurance industry means our local communities could be left to do more with less, all while we pay higher costs. … Florida Democrats are more united than ever as we fight back, organize and propose legislation focused on common sense solutions to make life more affordable for everyday people."

In print:

Florida Politics: 'We have set the standard': In final State of the State, Gov. DeSantis says his tenure delivered for Floridians

[Gabrielle Russon, 1/13/26]

"Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin attacked DeSantis' record, saying 'The state of Florida has never had worse leadership.'

"'Working Floridians are struggling as costs continue to rise, health care becomes more expensive and less attainable, and education and opportunity in the state become even further out of reach,' Martin said in a statement."

Florida Politics: In his last State-of-the-State address, DeSantis vows: 'We will get the job done.'

[Mitch Perry, 1/13/26]

"'I don't think he addressed the true issues that affect Floridians,' Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman told reporters, specifically referring to affordability. 'We're going to be addressing the issues that he really didn't lay out anything for the Legislature that will help Floridians.'

"'I didn't hear too many new ideas,' added House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell. 'It sounded like he was dredging up some of his greatest hits.'

"State Rep. Michele Rayner, D-Tampa Bay, said DeSantis seemed 'clearly more concerned with his political legacy than the lives of everyday Floridians.'

"'While Gov. DeSantis celebrates a 'Free State' and talks about the 1700s and 'societies of men,' here in reality in 2026, people in my district feel less free than ever as they struggle with crushing food and housing costs on top of a persistent property insurance crisis,' she said in a written statement.

"'Instead of truly addressing urgent issues like these, DeSantis chose to primarily focus on culture wars, political theater, and downright lies to cover up the reality of how he's hurt our state and the people living here. Floridians deserve a leader who views service as more than a platform for personal ambition - someone who puts them first.'"

Nebraska Examiner: Gov. Jim Pillen calls Nebraska 'recession-proof' in State of the State

[Juan Salinas II, 1/15/26]

"Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said in a statement that 'Jim Pillen will try to gaslight Nebraskans and paper over his failures.'"

WTVC: Trump once targeted Kemp. Now the Georgia governor is trying to steer what comes next

[WTVC Staff, 1/15/26]

"Democrats argue Kemp's policies favor the wealthy. They criticize his refusal to expand Medicaid and say his support for abortion restrictions and other social conservative causes undercuts his moderate image.

"'I think that Brian Kemp as governor has not been honestly all that different than 22 years of Republican rule that has made the American dream less attainable for most Georgians,' said Charlie Bailey, chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia."