Former President Barack Obama has thrown his support behind Democrat Abigail Spanberger in Virginia’s closely watched gubernatorial race, touting her stances on abortion rights and economic fairness in a pair of new digital ads.
“Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year. We know Republicans will keep attacking abortion rights and the rights of women.
“That’s why having the right governor matters, and I’m proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger,” Mr. Obama says in one of the digital ads.
In the other ad, Mr. Obama says: “Republican policies are raising costs on working families so billionaires can get massive tax cuts.”
“As governor, Abigail will stand up for Virginia families,” the former president says. “She’ll work to build an economy that works for everyone, not just big corporations and the wealthy.
The Obama endorsement likely still carries weight in Virginia. In 2008, he became the first Democrat to win the state in a presidential race since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
Since then, Democrats have carried the state in every presidential election, underscoring the state’s changing demographics.
Ms. Spanberger, a former three-term member of Congress and ex-CIA officer, has held a consistent polling lead over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
They are running to replace outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is limited to a single term under Virginia’s Constitution.
But the text scandal involving Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, has added a new layer of uncertainty to the race.
Mr. Jones, in 2022, mused in texts with a Republican colleague about shooting then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
Ms. Spanberger has centered her campaign on economic relief and affordability, while also drawing attention to the Trump administration’s record — particularly its cuts to health care funding and the dismissal of federal workers, including a proposed reduction of 4,000 jobs during a government shutdown.
Mr. Obama has also criticized Mr. Trump, warning the Republican’s recent push to deploy National Guard troops to U.S. cities poses a threat to democracy.
“When you see an administration suggest that ordinary street crime is an insurrection or a terrorist act, that is a genuine effort to weaken how we have understood democracy and that was understood by Democrats and Republicans,” Mr. Obama said during a recent appearance on the final episode of the “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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