Former U.S. President Barack Obama has stepped back into the political spotlight, urging voters in Virginia and New Jersey to elect Democratic governors in next Tuesday’s elections a move he framed as a necessary stand against Donald Trump’s second-term agenda and a prelude to the 2026 midterms.
Speaking at weekend rallies for Abigail Spanberger (Virginia) and Mikie Sherrill (New Jersey), Obama contrasted his message of unity and responsible governance with Trump’s “lawlessness, recklessness, and shambolic economic policies.” He called on voters to “set a glorious example for the nation” by rejecting candidates aligned with Trump, whom he accused of displaying “autocratic impulses.”
“The stakes are now clear,” Obama said in Virginia. “We don’t need to speculate about the dangers to our democracy. Elections matter and they matter to you.”
While Obama avoided directly blaming those who voted for Trump in 2024, he questioned whether their economic hardships had improved under his leadership. “Has any of that gotten better for you?” he asked during a New Jersey rally.
Obama’s Return to the Trail
Nearly a decade after leaving office, Obama remains one of the Democratic Party’s most popular figures. His support for Spanberger and Sherrill both centrist Democrats who helped their party secure a House majority during Trump’s first term is seen as a significant boost in two closely watched gubernatorial contests.
Meanwhile, Trump spent the weekend at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, leaving Republican hopefuls Winsome Earle-Sears (Virginia) and Jack Ciattarelli (New Jersey) to campaign independently. Though Trump endorsed both candidates, his absence from the trail highlights the complex dynamic within the GOP: he remains beloved by its conservative base but poses challenges with moderate voters.
Campaigns Take Divergent Paths
Republican candidates largely avoided invoking Trump’s name on the stump. Earle-Sears campaigned alongside outgoing Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, promising to continue conservative policies and “defend parents’ rights” in education. “We are not going back,” she declared at a rally in Purcellville.
Ciattarelli, meanwhile, toured New Jersey emphasizing tax relief and local economic reforms, joking that his opponent’s frequent references to Trump and her experience as a Navy pilot “won’t fix New Jersey.”
In contrast, Sherrill fully embraced national messaging, declaring in Newark:
“When people across the nation ask if New Jersey is up for this moment, my answer is: Hell yeah.”
Spanberger took a more measured tone, criticizing “recklessness and heartlessness coming out of Washington” while evoking nostalgia for Obama’s presidency. “There was a time not that long ago when we had a president who worked to bring us together,” she said before introducing him.
National Issues Loom Large
Economic concerns and a federal government shutdown have dominated both races. Spanberger blamed Trump’s administration for mismanaging fiscal policy, arguing that the crisis disproportionately affects Virginia’s 300,000 federal workers. Earle-Sears, however, countered that Spanberger should “use her influence” with Democratic senators to end the impasse.
Both Democratic candidates have also highlighted abortion rights as a central issue. Spanberger, campaigning in the last Southern state without new abortion restrictions, has positioned herself as a defender of reproductive freedom. Her opponent has accused her of being “extreme” on gender and social issues rhetoric reminiscent of Trump’s 2024 campaign tactics.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond Virginia and New Jersey, Democrats are also watching California, where a referendum on redrawing congressional districts could further shape control of the House. Backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the proposal is part of a wider national redistricting effort, mirroring Republican moves in states loyal to Trump.
Obama’s reemergence underscores how high Democrats believe the stakes are both in state-level races and in the broader effort to challenge Trump’s influence ahead of 2026.
