Obama Will Campaign with Spanberger, Sherrill in High Stakes Gov. Races/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former President Barack Obama will hit the campaign trail with Democratic gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill in Virginia and New Jersey. He’s set to appear at November 1 rallies just days before Election Day. These high-profile endorsements underscore the national importance of this year’s only two gubernatorial contests.
Obama Joins Democratic Governor Campaigns: Quick Looks
- Obama to campaign Nov. 1 in Norfolk, VA, and Newark, NJ with Spanberger and Sherrill.
- Spanberger faces Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, backed by Donald Trump, in Virginia.
- Sherrill runs against GOP’s Jack Ciattarelli, Trump-endorsed former NJ lawmaker.
- Obama says “Republican policies are raising costs” and praises Spanberger’s leadership.
- Trump calls Spanberger “a disaster,” says Earle-Sears “should win.”
- Election Day is Nov. 4 in both states, viewed as early tests of 2026 voter sentiment.
- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is term-limited; Ciattarelli aims for a rematch win.
- Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) also term-limited, setting up a power-flipping opportunity.
Deep Look: Obama Hits Trail With Spanberger and Sherrill Ahead of Governor Elections
RICHMOND, VA — October 21, 2025 — Former President Barack Obama will campaign in Virginia and New Jersey next week, stepping into the political spotlight to support Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill, two Democratic candidates in pivotal gubernatorial races that could shape the national political landscape heading into the 2026 midterms.
Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term Congresswoman, is running in Virginia against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, a Marine Corps veteran who enjoys the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Sherrill — a former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor — is facing off against Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who previously ran for governor in 2021 and narrowly lost.
Both races are among the most closely watched contests in the nation this year, with only Virginia and New Jersey holding gubernatorial elections in this off-year cycle. Their outcomes are expected to provide an early litmus test on public sentiment toward President Trump and Republican congressional leadership.
Obama’s Rally Tour: Norfolk and Newark, Nov. 1
Obama will appear alongside both candidates at rallies on November 1 — three days before Election Day — with events scheduled in Norfolk, Virginia, and Newark, New Jersey.
“Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year, and I am proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger for Governor,” Obama said in a recent statement.
His endorsements, announced last week, signal an aggressive push by Democrats to energize voters in two swing-state-like battlegrounds where the margins could be razor-thin.
Trump and Republicans Respond
“I think the Republican candidate is very good, and I think she should win because the Democrat candidate is a disaster,” Trump said.
Trump has been actively engaged in these state races, particularly in New Jersey, where he participated in a telephone town hall to support Ciattarelli before his primary win. Another tele-town hall is reportedly planned ahead of the general election.
Stakes in Virginia and New Jersey
The contests carry national implications. Democrats see victories in either or both states as a chance to blunt Republican momentum ahead of 2026, when control of Congress and dozens of governorships will be at stake.
In Virginia, Spanberger seeks to flip the governor’s mansion following Republican Glenn Youngkin’s term-limited exit. Youngkin, who won in 2021, helped Republicans make significant gains in the state and is considered a future presidential contender.
In New Jersey, Sherrill aims to maintain Democratic control after Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, reached his term limit. Murphy defeated Ciattarelli by just three points in 2021 — one of the closest gubernatorial elections in the state’s recent history.
“We know what’s at stake,” Sherrill’s campaign said in its statement Tuesday. “The people of New Jersey want a governor who will fight for middle-class families, protect healthcare, and stand up for reproductive freedom.”
The Bigger Picture: 2026 Starts Now
Political analysts say these races are not just about Spanberger and Sherrill — they’re about early indicators for 2026, when President Trump’s grip on Washington will again be tested at the ballot box.
With Congress currently under GOP control, Democrats are using every tool — including the popularity of former President Obama — to boost turnout, especially among suburban voters, women, and young people.
“It’s no coincidence that Obama is hitting the trail where control could flip,” said one political strategist. “His influence still resonates with key voter blocs.”
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