Newly elected Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) will deliver the GOP response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address Wednesday, several GOP sources confirmed on Thursday.

Republicans hailed McDonnell’s victory over Democrat Creigh Deeds last November as a sign that the electorate was turning against Obama and the Democratic agenda. Obama won Virginia by 7 points in 2008.

McDonnell, who was sworn in to office on Jan. 16, will also address the House Republican retreat in Baltimore next week.

Virginia has become increasingly competitive politically, particularly with the growth of suburban voters in Northern Virginia that both parties have been targeting.