Obama, surrogates flex their muscle in New Jersey, Virginia elections

Former President Barack Obama is stepping back into the political spotlight to headline rallies for Democratic gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey.

On Nov. 1, Mr. Obama will appear at get-out-the-vote events for New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill in Newark and former Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger in Norfolk.

His return to the campaign trail underscores the significance of these off-year elections — not just as indicators of the national political mood, but also as a measure of which figures can generate considerable buzz and wield significant influence within their parties.

Among those joining the fray is former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, widely seen as a 2028 presidential contender. He’s slated to rally with Ms. Spanberger in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Tuesday, marking two weeks until Nov. 4’s Election Day.

Mr. Buttigieg will also head to New Jersey next week to campaign for Ms. Sherrill, who faces a tight race against Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, another name floated for 2028, is also expected to lend his support.

According to the New Jersey Globe, Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Buttigieg will headline fundraisers for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. Ticket prices range from $100 to $79,000.

Other prominent Democrats have already made their presence felt. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited New Jersey over the weekend to endorse Ms. Sherrill.

Republican candidates are drawing support as well. Mr. Ciattarelli and Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears have received boosts from GOP figures, including Vivek Ramaswamy, who hopes to win Ohio’s governor race next year.

It remains unclear whether President Trump or Vice President J.D. Vance will campaign in person for Mr. Ciattarelli or Ms. Earle-Sears.

Mr. Trump has urged voters to rally behind the Republican candidates.

Mr. Obama, meanwhile, remains arguably the Democratic Party’s most powerful draw.

His upcoming appearances aim to mobilize key segments of the Democratic base, particularly Black voters, in support of Ms. Sherrill and Ms. Spanberger.

The Spanberger campaign noted that this will be the first visit by a former Democratic president to the Hampton Roads region in over a decade — and Mr. Obama’s first since 2012.