Representing opposite ends of the political spectrum: Brandon Tsay and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s sits behind Biden for first time.

Tsay, the 26-year-old hero who disarmed a gunman during a fatal rampage at Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra, will attend the State of the Union as a guest of the president as well as his congresswoman Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park). McCarthy (R-California), meanwhile, will sit beside Vice President Kamala Harris on the dais after barely persuading fellow Republicans to award him the speaker’s gavel.

gun violence and the need for bipartisan cooperation will undoubtedly emerge as recurring themes during the address, but California interests extend far beyond hot-button issues.