Obama Rallies Democrats Ahead of Key Virginia and New Jersey Races, Signaling National Shift
Democrats are looking to Virginia and New Jersey’s gubernatorial races this Tuesday as a bellwether of the national mood, ten months into Donald Trump’s second presidency and a year before pivotal midterm elections. Former President Barack Obama actively campaigned for Democratic candidates Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill this weekend, contrasting sharply with President Trump’s decision to spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, leaving Republican nominees Winsome Earle-Sears and Jack Ciattarelli to campaign independently. Simultaneously, a crucial referendum in California is underway, concerning the redrawing of the state’s congressional map in favor of Democrats, adding another layer to the national political landscape.
At a rally in Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday afternoon, Obama lauded Spanberger, a former congresswoman and CIA case officer, highlighting her dedication to improving the financial well-being and quality of life for Virginians. However, a significant portion of his speech focused on criticizing Trump’s “lawlessness and recklessness” and what he described as a “shambolic” economic policy. He urged voters to “set a glorious example for the nation” by rejecting Trump and his allies.
“The stakes are now clear,” Obama stated, emphasizing his continued popularity within the Democratic party. “We don’t need to speculate about the dangers to our democracy. We don’t need to ask ourselves how much more coarse and mean our culture can become. Elections matter, and they matter to you.”
Obama was scheduled to continue his campaign efforts Saturday evening with Sherrill in Newark. Meanwhile, Earle-Sears and Ciattarelli pursued their own vigorous schedules to counter the Democrats’ large rallies. Ciattarelli, in a closing argument, questioned the relevance of Sherrill’s military experience, stating, “Her disdain for the president. And she can fly a helicopter. Is any of that going to fix New Jersey?”
Despite not appearing on the campaign trail himself, Trump remains a central figure in the conversation. He has endorsed Ciattarelli and expressed support for Earle-Sears, though without explicitly naming her. The president also held a phone rally for Ciattarelli, but refrained from in-person campaigning for either candidate. On Friday, Trump attended an event at his Florida resort themed “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody,” and on Saturday, he headed to Trump International Palm Beach for a dinner with allies of MAGA, Inc., a super PAC. He is expected to return to Washington on Sunday.
Trump’s limited involvement reflects a complex dynamic for Republicans. While he maintains strong support among conservative voters, his appeal is more tenuous with the broader electorate. Earle-Sears focused on rallying Republican voters in smaller towns across Virginia, including Abingdon and Purcellville.
Ciattarelli embarked on a bus tour with the slogan “Fix New Jersey,” engaging with voters in Westfield, discussing proposals to lower energy costs and property taxes, and emphasizing his deep roots in the state. Some supporters at Sherrill’s rallies were seen wearing red baseball caps emblazoned with “Make New Jersey Great Again,” echoing Trump’s signature slogan. Both Sherrill and Spanberger played key roles in helping Democrats secure a House majority in 2018 during Trump’s first term, with Sherrill adopting a more direct critique of Trump this fall and Spanberger focusing on economic arguments.
“Virginia voters can and will send a message amid the recklessness and the heartlessness coming out of Washington,” Spanberger declared before Obama’s address, recalling a time when the nation had a president “who worked to bring us together instead of tearing us apart.” Advertising data from AdImpact reveals that Spanberger’s largest advertising investments have been directed towards linking Earle-Sears to Trump.
The economy and the ongoing federal shutdown are significant concerns overshadowing the gubernatorial races. Spanberger and Sherrill have pledged to address rising consumer costs and criticized Trump for failing to deliver on his 2024 campaign promises. In New Jersey, Ciattarelli has blamed Democrats for high energy costs, citing the two terms of outgoing Governor Phil Murphy. The Democratic candidates have also criticized the Republican federal domestic policy and tax cut bill. Spanberger specifically criticized Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency and the impact of the shutdown on Virginia, which has over 300,000 federal employees. Earle-Sears attempted to shift blame for the shutdown onto Spanberger, arguing she should leverage her connections with Virginia’s Democratic senators. Both candidates have opposed the GOP’s spending extension bill, demanding that Republicans address potential healthcare cuts. These races also offer insight into the potential weight of social issues, with Spanberger and Sherrill championing abortion rights – particularly in Virginia, the last Southern state without new restrictions – while Earle-Sears focuses on transgender policies, mirroring Trump’s tactics against Kamala Harris in 2024.
California’s referendum holds immediate implications for the midterm balance of power. The outcome will determine whether a new congressional map favoring Democrats is approved, potentially countering a similar map drawn in Texas for Republican gains. With Republicans currently holding a narrow 220-215 advantage in the House, the results in California, and other states considering redistricting, could significantly impact whether Trump maintains control of Congress or faces a Democratic majority for the remainder of his presidency.
