Former President Barack Obama is endorsing Democratic former Rep. Abigail Spanberger within the Virginia governor’s race and starring in two new digital advertisements for her marketing campaign.
“Virginia’s elections are among the most necessary within the nation this yr,” Obama says in each advertisements, shared first with NBC Information, which concentrate on the financial system and abortion rights. He additionally says in each advertisements, “Each vote counts.”
Virginia is considered one of two states, together with New Jersey, holding governor’s races this yr. One yr after the 2024 election, each races shall be intently watched as indicators of how voters are responding to President Donald Trump and the place the political winds are blowing forward of the 2026 midterms elections.
Trump has not but stepped into the race together with his personal endorsement. Spanberger is working in opposition to Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
Spanberger has persistently led Earle-Sears in public polling and outspent her on the airwaves. She additionally has historical past on her facet, with the occasion answerable for the White Home having misplaced 11 of the final 12 elections.
The lone exception got here in Obama’s second time period, when Democrat Terry McAuliffe prevailed in 2013 amid a authorities shutdown, which adversely impacts Virginians who work for the federal authorities.
Even with these benefits, turning out voters could be troublesome in an off-year election, and Obama is working to remind voters of the stakes of the race.
“We all know Republicans will preserve attacking abortion rights and the rights of ladies. That’s why having the fitting governor issues, and I’m proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger,” he says in one of many advertisements.
The opposite spot highlights the price of residing, a problem Spanberger has targeted on all through the race.
“Republican insurance policies are elevating prices on working households so billionaires can get large tax cuts,” Obama says. “As governor, Abigail will rise up for Virginia households. She’ll work to construct an financial system that works for everybody, not simply massive firms and the rich. Nevertheless it gained’t occur with out you.”
Obama gained Virginia twice, first by 6 share factors in 2008 after which by 4 factors in 2012.
GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who can not run for re-election due to time period limits, gained his race within the state by 2 factors in 2021.
Obama can also be starring in a TV advert in California, the place voters will forged their ballots in November on a proposal to permit the state to redraw its congressional traces. Gov. Gavin Newsom led the mid-decade redistricting effort to attract extra Democratic-leaning districts after Texas legislators redrew their congressional boundaries to learn the GOP.
Obama has been extra vocal about his criticisms of Trump amid the Democratic Celebration’s management vacuum following Trump’s win final yr.
Different high-profile Democrats — and potential future presidential hopefuls — are heading to Virginia and New Jersey forward of Election Day. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will marketing campaign with Spanberger subsequent week, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was additionally in Virginia just lately to spice up her bid.
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and his spouse, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, just lately campaigned for Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for governor in New Jersey. And Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are additionally anticipated to marketing campaign with Sherrill this weekend.
