New York guest list for 2024 State of the Union

For members of Congress, an invite to the State of the Union address can be another way to signal a legislative priority or highlight an important issue. Some representatives this year are bringing guests related to constituents who are imprisoned overseas or participants in wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Others are focused on internet affordability and border policy. Plus, Gov. Kathy Hochul will be in attendance, a rarity for a sitting governor. Here’s the full guest list from New York politicians.

U.S. Senate

Chuck Schumer – Andrii Chevozorov, Kate Farley, Kevin McCaffrey, Van Robinson, Deborah Hartman and Kim Spica

More details: Andrii Chevozorov is a 25-year-old Ukrainian soldier who was injured by a mine in September and has been recovering at Staten Island University Hospital. Kate Farley, of the Hudson Valley, is expecting a child via in vitro fertilization. Kevin McCaffrey’s union, Teamsters Local 707, receiving pension relief funding in the American Rescue Plan. Van Robinson, former president of the Syracuse Common Council, is being honored for working on behalf of underserved communities. Deborah Hartman, a former Tops Friendly Markets employee, “had her full pension restored thanks to the American Rescue Plan.” And Kim Spica works at GlobalFoundries, which is set to receive $1.5 billion through the CHIPS and Science Act.

Kirsten Gillibrand – Billie Jean King

Key quote: “Billie Jean King is a trailblazing American icon and a pioneer for gender equality.”

House

Nick LaLota – Harrison Li, U.S. Navy Lt. Ridge Alkonis and Brittany Alkonis

More details: Harrison Li is the son of Kai Li, who has been detained in China since 2016. Ridge Alkonis, and his wife Brittany, were invited to highlight LaLota’s Safeguarding Our Forces Abroad Act because Ridge Alkonis was imprisoned in Japan while stationed there “for negligent driving resulting in the death of two people.”

Andrew Garbarino – No announcement

Tom Suozzi – Ronen Neutra

More details: It was reported that Suozzi invited the father of Omer Neutra, an Israeli tank commander who has been missing since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

Anthony D’Esposito – NYPD Officer Zunxu Tian

From Politico: “The NYPD, law enforcement, public safety throughout this country have become victims.”

Gregory Meeks – No announcement

Grace Meng – Briteny Xu

More details: Xu is a constituent who relies on the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which is a discounted internet program.

Nydia Velázquez – Dr. Meera Shah

From the press release: “Shah is a family medicine physician currently serving as the Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic in New York.”

Hakeem Jeffries – Kevin Meggett

Key quote: “After two years of active duty and six years of reserve service, Kevin left the Navy and now serves as a Director for Black Veterans for Social Justice, helping deliver resources and care to veterans across the City.”

Yvette Clarke – Milton Perez

More details: After Rep. Yvette Clarke sent out a press release, VOCAL-NY said Milton Perez, a leader in its Homelessness Union, will be Clarke’s Affordable Connectivity Program guest at the State of the Union.

Dan Goldman – No announcement

Nicole Malliotakis – NYPD Lt. Ben Kurian

Key quote: “The horrifying video of Lt. Kurian and his fellow officer being attacked by a mob in Times Square was hard to watch, but it shed a light on just how difficult our officers’ jobs have become.”

Jerry Nadler – No announcement

Adriano Espaillat – Gov. Kathy Hochul

Key quote: “As the first woman to serve as Gov. of New York, she has been a trailblazer & extraordinary partner in public service, paving the way for future female governors.”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – No announcement

Ritchie Torres – No announcement

Jamaal Bowman – Jonathan Alvarez

Key quote: “As a formerly incarcerated individual and founder of 914United, Jonathan has made it his mission to create and foster positive change in his community.”

Mike Lawler – Orna and Daniel Neutra

More details: Reuters reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Mike Lawler partnered to invite the mother and brother of Omer Neutra, the missing Israeli tank commander.

Pat Ryan – Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers

More details: Flowers is the first Black mayor in Poughkeepsie’s history. She told Spectrum News, “I was honored that Congressman Pat Ryan invited me to go. So I get a chance to sit in a room with other lawmakers and hear what our president has in store for us moving on in the future.”

Marc Molinaro – Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar and Columbia County Sheriff Don Krapf

Key quote: “By having Sheriff Akshar and Sheriff Krapf as my guests, I hope to draw attention to the serious public safety challenges our communities face and underscore the importance of doing more to support our men and women in law enforcement.”

Paul Tonko – No announcement

Elise Stefanik – Brandon Budlong

Key quote: “During Border Patrol Agent Budlong’s sixteen-year tenure, he has witnessed the devastating impact of Joe Biden’s irresponsible border policies.”

Brandon Williams – Marshall Williams

From Auburn Citizen: The member of Congress is bringing his son as his guest.

Nick Langworthy – No announcement

Claudia Tenney – Anna Corbett

More details: She is the wife of Ryan Corbett, who has been detained by the Taliban since 2022.

Joseph Morelle – Alexis Vogt

Key quote: “Dr. Vogt has been a leader in the high-tech optics field for years, and her work has helped propel our region to the forefront of the innovation economy – including helping to secure our recent designation as a Regional Technology Hub.”