Obama backs Spanberger in historic Virginia gubernatorial election

Former President Barack Obama He returns to the campaign trail in the final days of two high-stakes gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey to win support from Democrats in both cycles.

In the Old Dominion State, former CIA employee and former Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger faces off against Republican Lt. Winsome Earl Sears, a Jamaican immigrant and Marine veteran. The election comes with a number of historic accomplishments, including Earl Sears becoming the state’s first Black female gubernatorial candidate in a race that will ultimately result in Virginia electing its first female governor, regardless of which party wins public office. election.

Obama will travel to Virginia on November 1 to chair a political rally for Spanberger in Norfolk, after he endorsed her in two political ads earlier in October targeting Republicans.

Obama’s surprise victory in favor of Democrats in Virginia comes only one year after he was exposed to a heated situation due to his insistence on black male voters’ support for the then-Vice President. Kamala Harris‘ campaign. Now he is calling on Virginia voters to ignore the black candidate in favor of Spanberger.

With his legacy at stake, Obama embarks on a campaign to bolster Democrats in key gubernatorial races

Former President Barack Obama returns to the campaign trail in the final days of the gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A year ago, Obama was eager to campaign for Harris, in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia and Wisconsin to drum up votes during the unprecedented cycle that first began with the former president. Joe Biden at the top of the ticket before he dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris.

Obama chided black men during a campaign stop at his campaign office in Pittsburgh, saying they seemed wary of supporting a woman for president and that they should join the Harris ticket.

“We have yet to see the same kind of energy and turnout throughout our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,” Obama said of his support for Harris’ race.

“Now, I also want to say that this seems most pronounced with brothers. So, if you don’t mind — just for a moment, I have to speak to all of you and say that when you have a very clean choice: On the one hand, you have someone who grew up like you, went to college with you, and understands the struggles (and the pain and joy that comes from those experiences),” Obama said, adding that Trump “has consistently demonstrated disregard for, not only towards others.” Communities, but for you as a person – and you’re thinking about sitting out?”

Part of it “makes me think, and I’m talking to men directly… that you don’t feel comfortable with the idea of ​​a woman being president, and you come up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.”

The remark drew criticism from some voters and groups who described the comments as “insulting” and “offensive.”

Obama endorses Spanberger and attacks Republicans in ads for Virginia governor’s race

“The overall tone was disgusting,” one black voter from Philadelphia said of Obama’s comments during an MSNBC polls panel at the time. “It was hateful. I didn’t respect it. I didn’t like anything about it. Two days after that, Kamala said, ‘We love our black men, and we have programs and things to put forward for them,’ and she brought up politics.”

Spanberger’s campaign was rocked by an undercover video showing one of the campaign’s organizers lamenting the defeat Virginia Race pitted a “white woman who was in the CIA” against a “black woman.”

Obama officially endorsed Abigail Spanberger in a pair of ads released earlier in October to celebrate her policies on abortion and taxes. (Nathan Howard/Associated Press)

“CIA agent, literally, which is crazy, like yeah, they vote for the CIA agent, guys, like what—,” a Spanberger campaign organizer said in a video with an undercover journalist in September that was first reported by Fox Digital.

She continued: “I don’t know what happened. We are in the darkest timeline.” “Our only choices are between a black woman, which we usually support, but this time she thinks we should bring back slavery, Winsome… And even then, it’s like either voting for the black woman who thinks slavery should be brought back or voting for the white woman who was in the CIA.”

Virginia Republican Gov. Winsom Sears is the only Black candidate running for governor in 2025. (Clive Owen/AP Photo-File)

Only two states across the country hold it State governors elections These off-season elections are in 2025: New Jersey and Virginia. Earl Sears is the only black candidate to run for governor among the four major party candidates running in either state.

Obama continues the tradition of slow political approvals as the gubernatorial elections heat up

Obama formally endorsed Spanberger in two ads released earlier in October celebrating her policies on abortion and taxes.

“Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year,” Obama said in an announcement earlier in October. “We know that Republicans will continue to attack abortion rights and women’s rights. That’s why having the right governor is important, and I’m proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger.”

“Republican policies raise costs for working families so billionaires can get massive tax cuts,” he said in another ad endorsing Spanberger.

Former President Barack Obama will also head to New Jersey on November 1, 2025, where he will compete against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill as she looks to defeat Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Fox News Digital reached out to Earl Sears’ campaign for comment on Obama’s support of Spanberger but did not immediately receive a response.

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Obama’s office did not immediately respond when contacted for comment on the upcoming Virginia caucus and previous statements about black male voters.

Obama will also head to New Jersey on Saturday, where he will compete with Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Representative Mikie Sherrill, as she looks to defeat her Republican rival, Jack Ciattarelli.

Fox News Digital’s Charles Kretz contributed to this report.