❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former President Barack Obama is making an eleventh-hour endorsement of Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger in Virginia’s gubernatorial race and has appeared in two digital ads supporting her campaign. This follows Spanberger’s poor debate performance and several polls showing her opponent, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, within the margin of error.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Barack Obama, Abigail Spanberger, and Winsome Earle-Sears.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The endorsement and ads were revealed ahead of Virginia’s off-year gubernatorial election in November 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year. Every vote counts.” – Barack Obama
🎯IMPACT: Democrats hope that Obama’s last-minute endorsement will energize Democratic voters to turn out for Spanberger despite her lackluster campaign and poor debate against Earle-Sears.
Former President Barack Obama has made a last-minute intervention in the Virginia gubernatorial race, endorsing former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), who is running against Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears (R-VA). Spanberger struggled in a recent debate against Earle-Sears, and the latter has surged in the polls—now just narrowly trailing Spanberger.
Obama is featured in two digital ads, focusing on abortionand economic issues. “Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year. Every vote counts,” he says.
The endorsement comes as Democrats aim to maintain momentum and stave off mounting support for Republicans in a state where the party in control of the White House has historically struggled in off-year elections.
“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,” Obama claimed in one ad. Another ad highlights economic concerns, with Obama claiming “Republican policies are raising costs on working families so billionaires can get massive tax cuts.”
Virginia is one of two states holding gubernatorial elections this year, alongside New Jersey. These races are being closely monitored for signals on voter sentiment heading into the 2024 presidential election and the 2026 midterms. Other prominent Democrats, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D), are also campaigning in these states to boost Democratic candidates.
The National Pulse reported on Tuesday that New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Spanberger are both under scrutiny after receiving campaign donations from Pin Ni, a businessman with concerning ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Pin Ni, president of Wanxiang America Corporation, contributed $60,000 to the One Giant Leap super PAC supporting Sherrill’s campaign, and an additional $5,800 directly to her campaign this summer.
Meanwhile, the CCP-linked businessman also contributed $50,000 to support Spanberger in Virginia.
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.