HARTFORD — Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will be sitting with first lady Michelle Obama during the president's final State of the Union address.

The White House said Malloy and the other guests personify President Barack Obama's time in office and "represent who we are as Americans: inclusive and compassionate, innovative and courageous."

Malloy, the new Democratic Governors' Association chairman, has advocated for many of the issues Obama has pushed. The list includes a higher minimum wage, expanded gun control laws, initiatives to help nonviolent offenders reintegrate into society and mandatory paid sick for certain workers.

Malloy said he's honored to attend Tuesday's address, calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime invitation."

Despite the White House honors, an October Quinnipiac University Poll showed 32 percent of Connecticut voters approve of the job Malloy is doing.