Republicans have selected their official responder to President Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night: Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a member of the party leadership from Washington State.
The choice of Ms. McMorris Rodgers â€" who even as the highest-ranking Republican woman in Congress is not well known nationally â€" gives Republicans a fresh face to deliver the party’s rebuttal to the president at a time when the G.O.P. has struggled with its perception among female voters.
In years past, both parties have alternated between governors and members of Congress to deliver the official response. This is the second year in a row Republicans have chosen someone from Capitol Hill, leaving out rising party stars like Governors Scott Walker of Wisconsin or Susana Martinez of New Mexico. Last year Senator Marco Rubio of Florida delivered the response.
John A. Boehner, the House speaker, and Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, made the announcement jointly on Thursday.
“Cathy will share our vision for a better America built on a thriving middle class, guided by a fierce belief in life and liberty, and grounded in greater trust between citizens and their government,†Mr. Boehner said.
