Former President Barack Obama is endorsing Democratic former Rep. Abigail Spanberger within the Virginia governor’s race and starring in two new digital adverts for her marketing campaign.
“Virginia’s elections are a number of the most vital within the nation this 12 months,” Obama says in each adverts, shared first with NBC Information, which deal with the economic system and abortion rights. He additionally says in each adverts, “Each vote counts.”
Virginia is considered one of two states, together with New Jersey, holding governor’s races this 12 months. One 12 months after the 2024 election, each races might 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 along with his personal endorsement. Spanberger is operating in opposition to Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
Spanberger has constantly led Earle-Sears in public polling and outspent her on the airwaves. She additionally has historical past on her aspect, with the get together accountable 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 might 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 hold attacking abortion rights and the rights of girls. That’s why having the best governor issues, and I’m proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger,” he says in one of many adverts.
The opposite spot highlights the price of residing, a difficulty Spanberger has centered 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 arise for Virginia households. She’ll work to construct an economic system that works for everybody, not simply huge 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’t run for re-election due to time period limits, gained his race within the state by 2 factors in 2021.
Obama can 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 strains. Gov. Gavin Newsom led the mid-decade redistricting effort to attract extra Democratic-leaning districts after Texas legislators redrew their congressional boundaries to profit the GOP.
Obama has been extra vocal about his criticisms of Trump amid the Democratic Celebration’s management vacuum following Trump’s win final 12 months.
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 not too long ago to spice up her bid.
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and his spouse, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, not too long ago 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.
