Obama Plans Campaigns With Spanberger, Sherrill Ahead New Jersey, Virginia Governor Races

In the highly competitive 2025 gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, former President Barack Obama is actively campaigning for Democratic candidates Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger, respectively, with rallies scheduled for November 1 ahead of the November 4 elections. Obama has framed these contests as critical indicators of the national political climate, criticizing Republican policies for favoring billionaires over working families. In New Jersey, Sherrill faces Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump, who is also organizing tele-rallies and robocalls to support Ciattarelli. The New Jersey race is viewed as a bellwether for the country's political direction, with key issues like affordability at the forefront. Similarly, in Virginia, Spanberger competes against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, also supported by Trump, with both races seen as crucial tests of public opinion leading into the 2026 midterms. Both Democrats are leveraging national figures, including visits from prominent governors and party leaders, to bolster their campaigns and emphasize the stakes of these elections.